TAVERNS operating illegally invariably contravene by-laws and generate criminality in and around their establishments.
Neighbours are greatly inconvenienced as noise emitted is unacceptable and the taverns tend to operate around the clock without adequate lighting, space and ablution facilities.
In response to concerns raised by members of Greenfields communities, on Friday, September 16, between 14:00 and 22:00, the EMPD Bumper to Bumper special operation swooped in on four taverns in the area. Umbrella, Umtholo and Umyezane roads were the main targets of the metro police.
A 47-year-old Mankwali tavern owner was arrested around 15:00 and her stock of 220 cases of beer, 230 bottles of wine, 500 bottles of cider, 230 bottles of spirits and 50 cases of sorghum beer were seized as her licence had been put on hold in 2014.
On Umtholo Road around 15:16, a 55-year-old owner operating a shebeen without a licence was arrested and his stock of 200 beer cases, 1 000 cans of cider, 75 bottles of wine and two dozen bottles of sorghum beer confiscated.
The third arrest was effected at 15:30 also on Umtholo Road where the owner of a tavern, a 28-year-old male, had his stock of 20 cases of beer and 30 cans of cider seized because the shebeen was operating without a permit.
At 16:00 a tavern owner aged 23, was arrested and 25 cans of beer and 30 bottles of cider were seized as the shebeen was operating without a permit.
The confiscated liquor was booked in at Eden Park Police Station.
All four arrested shebeen owners were detained at Eden Park Police Station on charges of operating illegal shebeens. They were expected to appear in the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 19.
Issued by Lieutenant Colonel Wilfred Kgasago, EMPD spokesperson.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
