The combined team of Lusaka City Council (LCC) Public Health Inspectors, Council Police and State Police over the weekend closed 12 bars and apprehended 10 suspected underage age patrons.

This was done during an operation conducted in Emmasdale (Devil Street) and Garden Compounds.

LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba says the operation meant to check on compliance with laws and regulations relating to liquor trade, started at 22:00 hours on Friday last week and ended at 02:30 hours on Saturday.

Mr. Sichimba says the affected bars were found operating outside stipulated hours contrary to the Liquor Licensing (Permitted Hours) Regulations of 2012.

He says the law stipulates that a bar and bottle stores (retail liquor) must open at 10:00 hours and close at 22:00 hours.

“Night clubs/social clubs must open at 10:00 hours and close at 24:00 hours while wholesale liquor must open at 08:00 hours and close at 18:00 hours,” he said.

He explains that the only exempted establishments are hotels, lodges, Guest houses, Restaurants, boarding houses, camps and camp sites which can sell liquor at any time to clients who are lodging with them and people that are buying food with regards to restaurants.

“Apart from operating outside stipulated hours three bars were also found admitting underage patrons while two bars were found trading without liquor licenses contrary to the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011,” he adds.

The LCC Public Relations Manager further adds that of the 10 apprehended suspected underage patrons, four were girls and six were boys.

Mr. Sichimba says the young gazzlers were taken to Emmasdale Police Station and Garden Chilulu Police Post for screening and further action.

Mr. Sichimba has since warned people operating liquor establishments to always abide by the law in their operations.