Shebeens still in police sights
Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, LT General Sebastian Ndeitunga speaking at the media briefing on the enforcement of the Liquor Act and the impact on shebeens.(Photographed by Melba Chipepo)
Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday this week, Ndeitunga said that the closure of the shebeens is not politically motivated and is within the law. He said that police crime records show that the majority of violent crimes such as murder, armed robberies, rape and violence against women and children, and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, are either perpetuated by people under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances or their victims were found to be intoxicated.
“The situation is serious and may worsen if not addressed by enforcing the law regulating the supply and sale of liquor, as a matter of priority. It is saddening to see our nation sinking in a pool of this evil called alcohol” he said.
Last month hundreds of angry shebeen owners threatened to march to the police headquarters because of the closure of the shebeens. The demonstration was aborted after leaders of the Namibia Shebeen Association (NASA) spoke with Safety and Security Minister, Nangolo Mbumba, who reportedly told the shebeen owners to continue with their operations.
The group decided to have a 3-day demonstration which was scheduled for this week but was stopped because the shebeen owners engaged the City of Windhoek to speak on their behalf.
Ndeitunga said that every Namibian has the right to operate a business as long as that business is within the four corners of the law. He said other regions have done the same and have clamped down on illegal shebeens. “Windhoek should not be an exception but should follow the same route.”
Ndeitunga warned members of the public that were threatening police officers via SMS and physically obstructing them from executing lawful duties to stop the acts. Those who find themselves to be culprits will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He said the police will continue enforcing laws, without being selective as all they are seeking is the support from all law abiding citizens to control crime and revive the morality of society.
