Govt launches crackdown on liquor licence free-for-all

The government is auditing how liquor licences are being issued and whether proper procedures are being followed, amid allegations that some licence holders are peddling drugs and selling alcohol to minors.

The probe, under the National Liquor Inspectorate Programme, has also been triggered by the proliferation of bottle stores near hospitals, schools, old people’s homes and places of worship – which is illegal.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Tafadzwa Muguti said councils will be held accountable for licences issued in breach of the law.

“We have discovered that some liquor licences were issued to premises located near hospitals, schools, old people’s homes and places of worship, which is not permitted by law,” he said.

Inspections have also uncovered a disproportionate concentration of outlets in some communities, with bottle stores now outnumbering other businesses at some shopping centres.

“In many shopping centres, there are now more liquor stores than shops, barber shops and other businesses,” Muguti said.

“The law is very clear. We will hold local authorities accountable and determine whether proper procedures were followed when these licences were issued. Where irregularities are identified, corrective action will be taken.”

Muguti said the continued surge in applications was concerning at a time when more young people are being exposed to alcohol and harmful substances.

He said the Government is also investigating reports that some licence holders are involved in the distribution of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as mutoriro, and the sale of alcohol to underage persons.

“We are, therefore, reforming the law to make it more stringent. Obtaining a liquor licence will become more rigorous because licence holders must be fully accountable for their operations,” he said.

He said inspections will continue countrywide, with local authorities expected to take corrective action where there is an oversupply.

“They know which outlets meet the legal requirements and which do not. It is time for every tier of Government to be accountable rather than shifting responsibility to Central Government,” Muguti said.

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Govt to close bottle stores near schools, hospitals and churches Zimbabwe has more bottle stores than schools and clinics – Muguti