The majority of murders in Bulawayo take place at beer outlets, where drunk people attack each other following a disagreement, police have confirmed.
As a result, police have stated that they will target such places, particularly illegal drinking spots as part of their efforts to curb crime this festive season, while the government is currently crafting a Statutory Instrument to deal with such establishments.
Acting Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said one of the major problems in Bulawayo was illegal beer outlets.
“I can safely say most of the murder cases in Bulawayo occur after beer drinking at the drinking spots. There are just a few murders caused by domestic violence but this domestic violence also comes after consuming alcohol then at the end, we cry murder,” she said.
The Asst. Inspector noted that a lot of illegal drinking establishments spring up around this time of year, as people want to cash in on the festivities.
“Shebeens and drinking spots start sprouting because everyone this festive season is trying to make extra cash so joints in places like Cowdray Park you find people outside,” Msebele said, staging that registered drinking outlets close at stipulated time but shebeens and illegal beer spots do not have closing times.
“These spots can go on for 24 hours, where people are drinking and merrymaking, then people start fighting each other over petty issues like a case we had last week. Somebody spilled beer on someone and that person was angry and took an okapi and stabbed him,”
Msebele said these beer spots were a menace because drugs were also peddled at the outlets.
“There is mbanje, skunk, crystal meth and cocaine that is traded at these drinking outlets. As police, we are rounding up all the unregistered outlets. We are not going to feel pity for them because people will be crying that they are ‘trying to make ends meet,’” said the Asst. Inspector.
“People also cry that police officers are not arresting armed robbers but these armed robbers frequent your places then target someone who would have also come to your place. At the end of the day, people kill each other. So as police, we will be raiding these places, confiscating their wares and closing down such places.”
Msebele said police had also started conducting stop and searches.
“If we find you with a catapult, machete, knife, flip knife, or small axes you will be arrested and detained. Why will you be carrying these weapons? When people want to fight, they must use their hands because the degree of injuries when weapons are used is severe,” she said.
A resident from Entumbane, Khethiwe Tshuma, who was part of the discussion expressed concern that “sports bars turned into nightclubs” and asked what police were doing to stop this from getting out of hand.
Superintendent Enock Chishiri, responsible for Crime under Bulawayo West, confirmed the issue of sports bars turning into nightclubs was concerning which is why the police were targeting these places.
“To deal with such illegal beer outlets and perpetrators, the government will come up with Statutory Instrument very soon where the (relevant) minister was saying going forward, they would not be renewing licences to beer outlets where offences have been committed or where people have been arrested or where something illegal occurred at that place,” Chishiri said.
“That outlet is not going to be renewed or given a licence but face problems come next year. If you know of such places where sports bars have turned into nightclubs, come and let us know. Let’s talk and help each other with problems in our area.”
