Shebeen owners to demonstrate against moratorium on issuing of liquor licences in Hardap

REHOBOTH, 20 APR – Shebeen owners in Rehoboth will on Monday stage a peaceful demonstration against the protracted moratorium on issuing of liquor licences in the Hardap Region, implemented in 2013 by the Ministry of Justice.
The protest will be held under the auspices of the Namibia Retail Traders Association (NRTA), and a petition will be handed over at the Rehoboth Urban East Constituency Office.
President of the Shebeen Owners Association, Andreas Nuule on Friday said due to the unresolved moratorium, Namibian Police Force (NamPol) members at Rehoboth are closing unlicensed shebeens and this has caused the owners a lot of money due to unsold stock.
“Most of our members are making a livelihood out of the shebeens to try and feed their families and other families indirectly through the people they have employed. If NamPol officials are closing down shebeens, how will they feed their families and pay their employees?” Nuule asked.
He said the Ministry of Justice has not yet given any directon on a way forward.
“The ministry never came back to tell us why they are delaying lifting the moratorium. People are suffering due to this issue,” he said.
NRTA member Fanuel Haiduwa said they wrote a letter to the Hardap Governor, Esme Isaack, to receive the petition in person.
“We want the governor as political head of the region to receive the petition in person and forward it to the relevant authorities,” he said.
Nampa understands the employees and children of shebeen owners will also be part of the demonstration that will start at the Oshandje shop in Blikkiesdorp.
According to Nuule, there are more than 100 unlicensed liquor outlets in Rehoboth.
Meanwhile, Nuule said, the owners will have a mass meeting on Sunday at 17h00 to strategise for the demonstration.
Approached for comment, a Ministry of Justice official in Mariental said only the magistrate can provide more information on the issue.
Mariental Magistrate Anna Matroos was said to be tied up in court hearing cases on Friday.
NAMPA