Tsumeb
Tsumeb Constituency Councillor Tangeni Tobias has reiterated the call for the closure of shebeens in the residential areas of Tsumeb, as alcohol is seen as the root cause of dometic violence.
President Hage Geingob also recently called for a ban on shebeens in residential areas, as they cause of many social ills.
Tobias says shebeens hinder learners as they cannot study because of the noise emanating from them in the proximity of many houses.
Tobias said that while his office has made significant progress in trying to implement measures to root out crime in the town, the presence of shebeens in residential areas remains a challenge in achieving a crime-free community.
“While we are looking at ways to reduce crimes, shebeens are still a big problem; shebeens should not operate in residential areas and near schools and churches, they create an imbalance whereby children are unable to study and there is no peace in the neighbourhoods,” Tobias said.
He said the community cannot raise children under these circumstances and it is unacceptable that shebeens should be allowed to operate not only at odd hours, but in residential areas as well.
Asked what alternative solutions should be put in place for those that make a living from shebeens, Tobias said there are other means of making money and that alcohol should not be the only solution for those living in abject poverty.
“When we advise people to close down shebeens they say it’s their bread and butter, but how can something that is destroying the communities be your way of making money?” he emphasised.
He further noted that Tsumeb is in an agriculturally conducive environment and thus other options for business are the selling of fruit, vegetables and food.
“Why can’t people sell food; there are so many hungry and poor people?” he said
Tobias however noted that those law abiding citizens who run their businesses responsibly can apply to have their licences reviewed so that they shift their alcohol outlets to business areas.