Shebeens proving a handful at Mariental

KEETMANSHOOP – The Mariental Municipality has expressed concern about the mushrooming of shebeens at the southern town.

In an interview with Nampa yesterday, the Public Relations Manager of the Municipality, Catherine Boois, said that of late shebeens had become a major problem. Boois noted that the municipality was staging various section meetings with shebeen owners in the town’s residential areas.She said the municipality would be able to properly regulate shebeens once they were fully registered and licensed.The municipality has already formulated its policy on shebeens, based on the Liquor Act.The local authority has given shebeens until January 1 to fully comply with regulations governing shebeens and to apply for their licenses.Boois noted that shebeen owners who made themselves guilty of contravening the laws governing shebeens might find it hard to acquire licenses come January 2005.Some of the major contraventions by shebeen owners are the selling of alcohol to children under the age of 18, excessive noise and a lack of proper ablution facilities.Boois advised shebeen owners to toe the line as residents would have the right to object to the granting of shebeen licences.- NampaBoois noted that the municipality was staging various section meetings with shebeen owners in the town’s residential areas.She said the municipality would be able to properly regulate shebeens once they were fully registered and licensed.The municipality has already formulated its policy on shebeens, based on the Liquor Act.The local authority has given shebeens until January 1 to fully comply with regulations governing shebeens and to apply for their licenses.Boois noted that shebeen owners who made themselves guilty of contravening the laws governing shebeens might find it hard to acquire licenses come January 2005.Some of the major contraventions by shebeen owners are the selling of alcohol to children under the age of 18, excessive noise and a lack of proper ablution facilities.Boois advised shebeen owners to toe the line as residents would have the right to object to the granting of shebeen licences.- Nampa