Churches call for tough action against shebeens

MEMBERS of various churches at Keetmanshoop, led by ELCRN Bishop Zephania Kameeta and local clergymen, yesterday took to the streets in protest against the mushrooming of shebeens at the town.

Singing hymns and displaying placards reading ‘Alcohol is a slow killer, say no to alcohol and save the nation’, hundreds of protesters marched from the Tseiblaagte residential area to hand over petition to a local magistrate. “With a drunkard nation we’re doomed to failure in our efforts to stem crime and the HIV-AIDS pandemic,” Bishop Kameeta said.”Enough is enough, we need tough and immediate action against local shebeens,” he said.”With a drunkard nation we will not accomplish Vision 2030,” he added.Kameeta said shebeens outnumbered clinics and schools at the southern town.”Every second house is a shebeen,” he said to applause from the protesters.According to Liquor Board Secretary Kirsten Sauerwein, there are 32 legal shebeens at Keetmanshoop.Handing over the petition to Magistrate Philanda Blockstein-Christiaan, Reverend Andreas Biwa said African cultures and values were being undermined by alcohol abuse.”We as spiritual leaders are deeply concerned about the evident decay of moral fibre in our communities caused by the mushrooming of shebeens and alcohol abuse,” he said.The petition called for the immediate closure of all illegal shebeens and gambling houses, and the closure of shebeens operating in residential areas near schools, churches and community centres.In addition, the petition demanded that the Police strictly oversee that shebeen owners adhere to the hours of operation stipulated in the Liquor Act.”I am glad that the people gathered here are exercising their right to oppose destructive social behaviour,” the Magistrate remarked when receiving the petition.However, she blamed community members for not actively participating in the process of granting liquor licences.”As you may be aware, all liquor licence applications are published in the press for public scrutiny and at this stage every citizen has the right to oppose such an application, supported by relevant arguments that would be considered before such application are approved,” she said.”With a drunkard nation we’re doomed to failure in our efforts to stem crime and the HIV-AIDS pandemic,” Bishop Kameeta said.”Enough is enough, we need tough and immediate action against local shebeens,” he said.”With a drunkard nation we will not accomplish Vision 2030,” he added.Kameeta said shebeens outnumbered clinics and schools at the southern town.”Every second house is a shebeen,” he said to applause from the protesters.According to Liquor Board Secretary Kirsten Sauerwein, there are 32 legal shebeens at Keetmanshoop.Handing over the petition to Magistrate Philanda Blockstein-Christiaan, Reverend Andreas Biwa said African cultures and values were being undermined by alcohol abuse.”We as spiritual leaders are deeply concerned about the evident decay of moral fibre in our communities caused by the mushrooming of shebeens and alcohol abuse,” he said.The petition called for the immediate closure of all illegal shebeens and gambling houses, and the closure of shebeens operating in residential areas near schools, churches and community centres.In addition, the petition demanded that the Police strictly oversee that shebeen owners adhere to the hours of operation stipulated in the Liquor Act. “I am glad that the people gathered here are exercising their right to oppose destructive social behaviour,” the Magistrate remarked when receiving the petition.However, she blamed community members for not actively participating in the process of granting liquor licences.”As you may be aware, all liquor licence applications are published in the press for public scrutiny and at this stage every citizen has the right to oppose such an application, supported by relevant arguments that would be considered before such application are approved,” she said.