TWO shebeen owners have been arrested for trading in alcohol without liquor licences in eSikhaleni this week.
Owing to the increase of alcohol abuse and related criminal activities, the eSikhawini Crime Prevention unit targeted taverns in the area as part of the new anti-crime campaign recently launched
The team confiscated 16 cases of beer and spirits at the uGobandlovu Reserve tuck shop on Monday, and 10 crates at Very Nice Store in Port Durnford on Tuesday.
Both owners were charged for trading without licences.
According to team leader, Capt Dumisani Mhlongo, the campaign aims to remove all illegal traders.
‘These shebeens sell alcohol to children and don’t follow rules and regulations. We also suspect that it is a major factor behind the crime increase in the area. When people come from these places they mug others.
‘Women under the influence are also raped. Because they stay in these places until late, criminals see them as easy targets,’ said Mhlongo.
He also warned parents not to send minors to buy alcohol. He said over the festive season there was a massive increase of youngsters in taverns.
‘We plead with the community to work with the police in this campaign. We won’t rest until we have eliminated all these places eating the life from our children.
‘We also ask firearm owners not to carry their weapons when they consume alcohol. This is illegal and we will make sure we put them behind bars.’
Last week the team also seized dagga and whoonga at uMkhobose and at the H2 section. They arrested a young man in connection with dagga in the Mzingwenya area.
