Introduce stricter conditions for issuing liquor licenses - police says
23 August 2012
Station Commanders and Community Police Forum (CPF) in the KwaMhlanga Cluster Policing precinct have called on the government to implement stricter conditions when issuing liquor trading licenses in order to decrease the number of liquor outlets in the province.
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The police say the increase in the number of liquor outlets will have a negative impact on government’s efforts to reduce crime.
The call was made during a meeting between Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe, KwaMhlanga Cluster Police Stations and CPF leadership on Wednesday, 21 August 2012.
The meeting was part of the Mpumalanga Executive Council Outreach taking place in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.
KwaMhlanga Station Commander Colonel Somkoko Masango said taverns are a major challenge troubling the cluster as a whole. He said that taverns seems to be contributing to most crimes committed on weekends and has lead to increase of rape, domestic violence and house breaking incidences.
“We have also seen an increase in a number of business robberies especially of shops owned by foreign nationals,” said Masango.
He explained that foreign nationals are often targeted because of a belief that they kept cash in their shops.
Masango also told the meeting that Nyaope’s usage among the youth in the area seems to be increasing. This, Masango, explained, has lead to increased number of young people dropping out of schools and becoming involved in criminal activities.
Responding to issues raised, MEC Shongwe said that the police should not negotiate with liquor outlets that do not meet the minimum requirements for operating a tavern but they should just close down the outlets.
The MEC has also called on the community to participate in crime prevention by among others exposing criminals so that they could be arrested and face the might of the law. He said that the police cannot fight crime on their own but they need partnerships with communities.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
