Africa-Press – Botswana. The distance between bars and public institutions as well as their proximity to main roads was a major topic of discussion when Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, addressed a kgotla meeting in Mogoditshane on September 26.
The purpose of the meeting was to consult with residents about the amendments of the Liquor Act. Bars and other businesses selling alcohol are required to be at least 500 metres from churches, schools and the main road.
However, this has become difficult to implement in major cities as the outlets are already trading near these institutions.
Minister Kgafela said it had been realised that bars that operated near main roads disturbed traffic flow and increased risks to accidents, adding that they also encouraged drunken driving.
He said they had received requests to allow alcohol sales in supermarkets and filling stations in order to make alcohol easily accessible and to change the operating hours.
Mr Kgafela said there were people who were fronting for foreigners as liquor licences were strictly reserved for citizens.
One resident, Ms Kakanyeng Taolo, said bars should also be far from pre-schools and graveyards.
Mogoditshane Central’s Cllr Paul Magwaza said the country should introduce tarvens to enable Batswana to run their own depots and not to sell alcohol in supermarkets and filling stations as they were owned by foreigners.
Mr Lordwick Rutang asked the minister if businesses which were already operating near main roads such as in Molapo Crossing would be moved and compensated.Mr Reginald Mautlane said the alcohol industry was dominated by foreigners as they owned wholesales and bottle stores, making it difficult for Batswana to venture into the sector due to unfair pricing.
In response, Minister Kgafela said changes in alcohol consumption could have an impact on the tourism industry as tourists might not be able to adapt to Botswana’s strict laws.He also said bars already operating near main roads would be required to build boundary walls around their premises.
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