Khorixas
The station commander of the Khorixas police Inspector Hiskia Nuuyoma has appealed to establishments selling alcohol not to serve children.
Nuuyoma said: “We are appealing to bar attendants and club owners to work in unity with the police as well as take charge of matters when they realise that schoolchildren are there.”
Nuuyoma also appealed to school management and parents to work with the police to address the issue.
Some schools and hostels have holes in their fences where boarders sneak out to go clubbing and the station commander thus appealed to school authorities to repair the fences.
Nuuyoma said underage drinking in Khorixas is extremely high.
Controlling underage drinking is difficult for the police as sometimes learners are not in school uniform.
Nuuyoma said that two years ago the police took underage boys to the police station and handed them over to their parents after they were picked up drinking beer at a pub.
Nuuyoma however praised the owner of Hotel Sunrise, Elfie Essau, for barring underage drinkers from his place. “One will not see a child at his bar. We want others to follow his example.”
He also appealed to teachers who consume alcohol together with learners to stop the practice. “There are reports that some teachers drink with their learners. We appeal to them to stop it – how does respect come if you (the teacher) are drinking with them?”
New Era has seen large numbers of schoolchildren visiting bars in the main road nearby the Nampost offices.
Cornelius Goreseb High School principal Ndjizuzwe Haakuria said shebeens that are in the immediate vicinity of schools must be closed down.
New Era was informed that Cornelius Goreseb High School has banned social functions at school since it might encourage learners to drink.
Haakuria said the Liquor Act is clear that only people aged 18 or above may be allowed to visit bars and other drinking establishments.
Haakuria said traditional authorities and the police must also address noise pollution, since the school authorities’ hands are tied.
The owner of Hotel Sunrise, former councillor Essau, is well known for whipping learners seen at his place and learners have stopped going there lest they are caned by the no-nonsense bar owner.