Council cracks down on illegal beer sellers

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 10:05:38 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA

LUSAKA City Council says it will soon crack down on all traders still selling alcohol in markets, especially along Cha Cha Cha road, in the own town centre.

PF Independence ward councillor George Daka said in an interview that council police will soon move in and start arresting traders who have defied an order to stop selling alcohol at the market as the ultimatum given to them has expired.

Mr Daka said this time around he will not hesitate to deal with anyone found wanting because no-one was allowed to sell beer in public places and the law was clear about it.

He said it was unfortunate that as early as 07:00 hours every day some people were already drunk and could hardly do any work.

“This is very sad and I am concerned that youths, especially from markets and bus stations, are always drunk as early as 07 hours, meaning they cannot do any productive work.

‘‘Today I am having a meeting with the market committee and the council police to see how they will coordinate because some unscrupulous people have continued selling beer dubiously despite the warning,“ said Mr Daka.

Meanwhile, Mr Daka said the market was no longer facing challenges in terms of access to clean water after the commissioning of the water trust last month.

Mr Daka said traders were now operating in a clean environment because water was now available unlike before when they depended on water provided by Lusaka Fire Brigade which could not sustain their needs.

“After the commissioning of water trust at Cha Cha Cha market, the ablution block has water now and toilets are flushing because they have running water throughout,” he said.