Capital revives warning of shebeen crackdown

THE City of Windhoek has announced that it will revoke the liquor licences of some businesses in the capital if it receives valid complaints from people living in the neighbourhood.

This was announced by the City’s Chief Planner for Urban Policy, Barry Watson, at an information workshop on unauthorised businesses last week. “For all businesses, the City will oppose liquor licence applications should valid complaints be received,” Watson said.He said this would be done if streets, entrances and passages were being blocked at least once a week due to the business’s activities.Businesses will also not be allowed to stay open after 22h00 or to open before 08h00.If violence was reported at a business from month to month, or vulgar behaviour and foul language once a week or more, the business’s licence would be terminated, the Chief Planner cautioned.Late last year, the City said that anyone found operating a shebeen in Windhoek after January 31 this year would risk closure.Watson said shebeen owners and other small businesses had been given time to comply with the law and, during this period, the law had not been vigorously enforced but this was set to change.Penalties for disobeying the law mostly take the form of fines – but refusal to pay a fine can result in imprisonment.About 100 City shebeen owners have complied with the City’s revised rules and regulations but over 1 000 are still not in compliance.To run an approved shebeen, a person must obtain a ‘fitness certificate’.These are given only after the Municipality is satisfied with the way in which a shebeen is built and run, and once it is assured the establishment has received assent from neighbours and is not too close to churches or schools.”For all businesses, the City will oppose liquor licence applications should valid complaints be received,” Watson said. He said this would be done if streets, entrances and passages were being blocked at least once a week due to the business’s activities. Businesses will also not be allowed to stay open after 22h00 or to open before 08h00. If violence was reported at a business from month to month, or vulgar behaviour and foul language once a week or more, the business’s licence would be terminated, the Chief Planner cautioned. Late last year, the City said that anyone found operating a shebeen in Windhoek after January 31 this year would risk closure. Watson said shebeen owners and other small businesses had been given time to comply with the law and, during this period, the law had not been vigorously enforced but this was set to change. Penalties for disobeying the law mostly take the form of fines – but refusal to pay a fine can result in imprisonment. About 100 City shebeen owners have complied with the City’s revised rules and regulations but over 1 000 are still not in compliance. To run an approved shebeen, a person must obtain a ‘fitness certificate’. These are given only after the Municipality is satisfied with the way in which a shebeen is built and run, and once it is assured the establishment has received assent from neighbours and is not too close to churches or schools.