Bars and Night Clubs Owners Association of Zambia says it is in the process of writing to the Minister of Local Government Dr. Charles Banda on the need to convene an appeal tribunal as stipulated in the Liquor Licensing Act.
Association General Secretary Edmond Lifwekelo told Money FM News in an interview that it is unfortunate that the Lusaka City Council has continued confiscating alcohol from bar owners who have opened their businesses.
Mr. Lifwekelo alleged that the Council’s action is illegal as they have no mandate to confiscate liquor or anything from any trading place, stating that it is not provided for in any law.
“Our position is that there is no way our members can continue being closed without any sort or help or bailout. So what we are doing right now, we are just compiling all these cases and we are writing a letter to the Minister of Local Government urging him to convene an appeal tribunal as stipulated in the liquor licensing Act.”
“We are appealing on behalf of our members because you see what the council is doing right now, they have no mandate to confiscate liquor or anything from any trading place, it’s not provided for in any law,” Mr. Lifwekelo stated.
He said if a bar operator flouts the regulations of the liquor licensing Act, there are penalties which are clearly stipulated ranging from fines, imprisonment and suspension of trading licenses.
Mr. Lifwekelo added that the punishment stipulated in the Act is only applied after the offender has been convicted by the courts of law.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lifwekelo appealed to members of the association who have had their alcohol confiscated by the local authority to visit the Secretariat with details of what they have lost together with the seizure forms.
He said it is morally wrong for the association to tell its members close their businesses when they have not received any financial bailout from government.
Mr. Lifwekelo stated that government should either allow the bars and night club owners to continue trading or give them a financial bailout so that they should wait until the cold season is over.
“We made an appeal to our members yesterday and we are making it again through you that all those who have fallen victim to the council let them come to the secretariat with details of what they have lost, and we believe the council has been leaving seizure forms so we want the seizure forms.”
“We are compiling all these cases, we are taking the matter into the hands of our legal counsel, because we are still stating our position, it is immoral for us as an association to tell our members to stop selling, to stop providing for their families in the absence of help from government, we haven’t been assisted in any way,” he stated.
Over the weekend, the Lusaka City Council in conjunction with Zambia Police clumped down on Fair Land Pub and Grill in Emmasdale, New Land Pub and Grill, Cockpit and Kabs Mall in Mtendere for operating as bars and night clubs, contrary to public health guidelines on Covid-19 prevention.
The team of Public Health Inspectors, Council Police and Zambia Police pounced on the drinking spots during a night operation following a tip of by members of the public.