WAD joins shebeen debate

WOMEN’S Action for Development (WAD) has joined the national debate on illegal shebeens, urging President Hifikepunye Pohamba to continue with the implementation of the Liquor Law.

The development organisation says that by allowing unlicensed shebeens to continue to operate, Namibia is creating a larger problem for itself down the road. “It is WAD’s view that shebeens, whether licensed or unlicensed, merely offer employment to a minute fraction of the Namibian population,” the organisation said in a statement this week.”This should be weighed up against the countless thousands of lives of Namibian citizens that are being ruined by the uncontrolled sale of liquor and who fall prey to the evils of alcoholism and drug abuse.”The statement, signed by WAD Executive Director Veronica de Klerk and its six regional Woman’s Voice chairs, lists a number of negative consequences they say are associated with shebeens.These include the sale of liquor to children, a lack of adequate food caused by alcoholism and drug abuse, domestic violence, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and an added burden on “the already struggling poor to survive”.”The President of the Republic of Namibia is the highest custodian of the moral values of the Namibian citizenry, to protect and maintain such values.WAD has full confidence in the President …that such moral values will be safe-guarded and protected, and will not forfeit for the sake of securing jobs for a minute few, considering the enormous harmful consequences which uncontrolled liquor has on the Namibian society,” the organisation stated.”It is WAD’s view that shebeens, whether licensed or unlicensed, merely offer employment to a minute fraction of the Namibian population,” the organisation said in a statement this week.”This should be weighed up against the countless thousands of lives of Namibian citizens that are being ruined by the uncontrolled sale of liquor and who fall prey to the evils of alcoholism and drug abuse.”The statement, signed by WAD Executive Director Veronica de Klerk and its six regional Woman’s Voice chairs, lists a number of negative consequences they say are associated with shebeens.These include the sale of liquor to children, a lack of adequate food caused by alcoholism and drug abuse, domestic violence, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and an added burden on “the already struggling poor to survive”.”The President of the Republic of Namibia is the highest custodian of the moral values of the Namibian citizenry, to protect and maintain such values.WAD has full confidence in the President …that such moral values will be safe-guarded and protected, and will not forfeit for the sake of securing jobs for a minute few, considering the enormous harmful consequences which uncontrolled liquor has on the Namibian society,” the organisation stated.