The Lusaka City Council has disclosed that it has closed 73 bars during the first two weeks of the Presidential directive for all bars, night clubs and Casinos to close as part of the measures to fight the spread of Coronavirus.
Council Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said the affected bars were, however, found operating contrary to the Presidential directive and the Statutory Instruments No. 21 and 22 of 2020.
Mr Sichimba said Council Public Health Department has, therefore, recommended all the 73 bar owners for prosecution in the Lusaka Fast Track Court for defying the Presidential directive on the closure of bars.
He stated that the period under review came into effect at midnight on Thursday 26th March 2020 to 9th April 2020.
“During this period, a combined team of Council Police, Zambia Police and Public Health Inspectors conducted operations in various parts of the city to check on compliance. During these operations, a cumulative total number of 73 bars were found operating contrary to the directives,” Mr Sichimba said.
He added that the affected bar owners failed to account for their actions hence the decision to recommend them to the Department of Legal Services for prosecution.
“LCC has also recommended to the Provincial Liquor Licensing Board for possible revocation of liquor licenses for the 73 truant bar owners,” he said.
And Mr Sichimba also disclosed that the team raided several “Kachasu Dens” resulting in about 600 litres of the illicit brew being seized and disposed of.
“The team widened its operations and with tips from concerned members of the public that some people had resorted to gathering and drinking Kachasu from makeshift stalls locally known as “Tuntemba” and Shebeens following the closure of established bars and other beer-drinking establishments.”
He said operators of the illegal businesses even resorted to the propagation of false messages that drinking Kachasu and using it as hand sanitizer would prevent people from contracting Coronavirus, which assertion has been dismissed with the contempt it deserves by health experts.
Mr Sichimba appealed to liquor traders and patrons alike to observe public health guidelines for their safety and that of others.
‘With the extension of the Presidential directives by another 14 days, LCC will continue to participate actively in the enforcements and activities aimed at combating the spread of Coronavirus,” he said.