Africa-Press – Botswana. Stakeholder contribution in addressing alcohol sale and consumption concerns is important.
Speaking during a kgotla meeting on the review of the Liquor Act, 2003 and Regulations, 2008, in Moshupa on Tuesday, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said the residents’ input would provide guidance on the best way possible to regulate the liquor industry.
Mr Kgafela said they sometimes benchmarked in other countries like South Africa only to realise that what worked in South Africa did not effectively work in Botswana, hence the need for consultations.
He said they encountered some challenges during implementation of the current liquor act, which included noise pollution, the 500 meter distance from schools, highways and churches, continued non-compliance by liquor outlets and consumers fronting as well as requirement for publication in the Government Gazette and other newspapers for a licence application to be considered.
“All these challenges make it difficult to best regulate liquor industry. I therefore urge Batswana to change their mind-set and consume alcohol responsibly,” he said.Mr Kgafela said the ministry mandate was to ensure that Batswana ventured into business and not to make it difficult for them.
He said dikgosi and churches had been consulted and their views noted.
He said President Mokgweetsi Masisi wanted the industry to be run by locals, to ensure that there was no fronting, noise pollution was addressed as well as excessive drinking.
Regarding request by Batswana to increase penalties for non- compliance, Minister Kgafela said perpetrators were usually charged minimum penalties, hence the need to enforce the law rather than reviewing penalties.
“All other views by Batswana would be taken into consideration, to best regulate the industry,” he said. Kgosi Oscar Mosielele of Moshupa said it was important for residents to partake in such consultative meetings since issues affecting their daily lives were discussed.
He urged government to empower dikgosi and enable them to make decisions that would positively impact their communities.
Villagers complained about noise pollution, which they said could be addressed by reducing trading hours and revising penalties for non- compliance by liquor outlets and consumers.
They also requested that the school curriculum include the dangers associated with alcohol use, to allow children to make informed decisions.
Moshupa residents were against selling of alcohol in places such as filling stations for reasons that they would negatively affect liquor outlets operated by Batswana.
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