SHEBEEN owners applying for liquor licences are set to feel the pinch following a decision by the Keetmanshoop Town Council to put on hold the issuing of fitness certificates.
A fitness certificate issued by a local authority is required before the Liquor Licence Board considers a liquor licence application.
The move by the Town Council is to stamp out the mushrooming of shebeens, which is blamed for social evils such alcohol and drug abuse and the spread of HIV.
The council on Tuesday decided to consider at its next meeting whether to resume issuing fitness certificates to shebeens.
About 33 licensed shebeens are operating at Keetmanshoop.
Recently two shebeen liquor licences were rejected because the applicants had no fitness certificates, The Namibian was informed.
The Karas Police Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner Josephat Abel, yesterday welcomed the Town Council’s move.
Abel said there is also a need to reduce the operating hours of shebeens issued with special licences to operate until the morning hours.
He called on the Liquor Board to consider reducing the business hours of shebeens in possession of special licences when they renew their licences.
“This can be done because there is a section in the Liquor Act which makes that provision,” he said.
“To be honest, most crimes such as murder and assault are committed at shebeens during the morning hours,” he said.
He pledged that the Police would continue to clamp down on shebeens operating outside the stipulated business hours.
luqman@namibian.com.na
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