By Chinoyi Chipulu
The Kawambwa Town Council (KTC) has shut down 10 bars for operating outside stipulated laws.
A combined team of council police and Zambia police closed the bars during an overnight operation over the weekend.
KTC public relations officer Joel Kashi stated that the local authority conducted the operation targeting bars around the Central Business District, PWD township and Ntulo area between 23:00 to 24:00 hours.
Kashi stated that the operation was undertaken in order to check on the compliance levels with the law and regulations relating to liquor trading in the district.
“During this operation it was discovered that a total of nine bars were operating beyond permissible hours and one bar was found to be trading without a license contrary to the Liquor Licensing Act,” he stated.
He stated that the law stipulated that bars and bottle stores must operate between 10:00 hours and close at 22:00 hours with an exception of night clubs with valid documentation that were permitted to operate after 22:00 hours.
“Bars must operate in good sanitary conditions and the call for vigilance from the local authority aligns with the broader efforts being implored to combat health risks that are associated with compromised sanitary conditions,” he stated.
He stated that it was disappointing that some establishments dealing in liquor were not operating within the confines of the law and this had prompted the council and police to conduct random inspections and check on the compliance of these businesses.
“The erring bars have since been closed and fined,” he stated.
Kashi warned bar owners in the district to operate within the confines of the law and possess valid documentation, as erring businesses shall face the law.
