Traditional leaders discuss shebeen crackdown

EIGHT traditional leaders from the North met at Oshakati this week to discuss the recent crackdown on cuca shops and shebeens.

Spokesperson for the Traditional Leaders’ Council, Senior Traditional Councillor Boas Mweendeleli said the clampdown was a “very serious issue” and that traditional leaders in the North had decided to tackle it. Ondonga King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, Ongandjera King Jafet Munkundi, Uukwaluudhi King Josa Shikongo Taapopi, Oukwanyama Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu, Uukwambi Chief Herman Iipumhbu, who is also the chairman of the Northern Traditional Council, Ombalantu Chief Oswin Mukulu, Uukolonkadhi Chief Daniel Shooya and Okalongo Chief Mathias Walaula and their assistants and secretaries, attended the meeting.Chief Iipumbu said that traditional authorities were unhappy that some of their powers have been removed under the Liquor Act.They were dissatisfied that they could no longer issue business licenses to their people to sell liquor.”We are in our communities, we know their problems and how to handle and solve them and also know how to serve our people the best to their comfortability,” Chief Iipumbu said.”I do not know what we are going to decide about this, but I think, definitely, we are going to deliberate on this issue and come up with a proposal to the Government,” Chief Iipumbu said.The Liquor Act no 6 of 1998 states that all people trading in liquor must apply for a liquor licence.This affected hundreds of cuca shops, shebeens and street vendors in the north that sell traditional and commercial liquor.The Act was first implemented in 2002, but few people applied for the required licenses.Many cuca shop owners instead applied to their traditional authorities for business licenses to conduct unspecified businesses in their villages.Earlier in June, Government ordered Police to close all unlicensed cuca shops and shebeens and to arrest owners who disobeyed the order.Many people were arrested amid confusion between the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Police, traditional authorities and cuca shop owners.Owners said they had permission from their traditional authorities to sell liquor, but Police did not accept this.They claimed the Act did not make provision for the sale of liquor in open markets (Omatala) and in streets.Cuca shop owners and street vendors demonstrated in Oshakati last week, blaming Government for not properly explaining the Act.They also said there were not enough local offices where people could apply for licenses.They felt the process was long and complicated and believed they were not properly informed about requirements.Meanwhile Police have announced they will hold information meetings with different communities in the north to discuss the implementation of the Act.Deputy Commissioner of Police in Oshana Region, Josef Anghuwo, told The Namibian: “As from next Monday on, I will go to (communities) myself and explain all the details of the Act to them, especially on unlicensed cuca shops.(I will explain) who has the power to issue liquor licenses and who not, who can get (licences) and who not, and how to get a liquor licences and where,” said Anghuwo.Ondonga King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, Ongandjera King Jafet Munkundi, Uukwaluudhi King Josa Shikongo Taapopi, Oukwanyama Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu, Uukwambi Chief Herman Iipumhbu, who is also the chairman of the Northern Traditional Council, Ombalantu Chief Oswin Mukulu, Uukolonkadhi Chief Daniel Shooya and Okalongo Chief Mathias Walaula and their assistants and secretaries, attended the meeting.Chief Iipumbu said that traditional authorities were unhappy that some of their powers have been removed under the Liquor Act.They were dissatisfied that they could no longer issue business licenses to their people to sell liquor.”We are in our communities, we know their problems and how to handle and solve them and also know how to serve our people the best to their comfortability,” Chief Iipumbu said.”I do not know what we are going to decide about this, but I think, definitely, we are going to deliberate on this issue and come up with a proposal to the Government,” Chief Iipumbu said.The Liquor Act no 6 of 1998 states that all people trading in liquor must apply for a liquor licence.This affected hundreds of cuca shops, shebeens and street vendors in the north that sell traditional and commercial liquor.The Act was first implemented in 2002, but few people applied for the required licenses.Many cuca shop owners instead applied to their traditional authorities for business licenses to conduct unspecified businesses in their villages.Earlier in June, Government ordered Police to close all unlicensed cuca shops and shebeens and to arrest owners who disobeyed the order.Many people were arrested amid confusion between the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Police, traditional authorities and cuca shop owners.Owners said they had permission from their traditional authorities to sell liquor, but Police did not accept this.They claimed the Act did not make provision for the sale of liquor in open markets (Omatala) and in streets.Cuca shop owners and street vendors demonstrated in Oshakati last week, blaming Government for not properly explaining the Act.They also said there were not enough local offices where people could apply for licenses.They felt the process was long and complicated and believed they were not properly informed about requirements.Meanwhile Police have announced they will hold information meetings with different communities in the north to discuss the implementation of the Act.Deputy Commissioner of Police in Oshana Region, Josef Anghuwo, told The Namibian: “As from next Monday on, I will go to (communities) myself and explain all the details of the Act to them, especially on unlicensed cuca shops.(I will explain) who has the power to issue liquor licenses and who not, who can get (licences) and who not, and how to get a liquor licences and where,” said Anghuwo.