Sergeant Sipho Ndongeni and Captain Stephen McEvoy after raiding a shebeen
“Neighbours complain about loud music and that the owners sell alcohol to underage kids,” said Captain Stephen McEvoy.
The cops seized booze at unlicensed shebeens.
“We don’t mind doing it daily. As long as it will make a difference in our communities, we will do it,” he said.
People who sell alcohol illegally contribute to high crime in communities because they sell to anyone, no matter their age.
“We won’t stop until they do the right thing because the minute you sell alcohol to an underage kid, you are committing a crime,” said McEvoy.
He said not only those who trade without licences are going to get visits, but also those who have licences.
“We can’t have traders with licences who are not following the rules,” he said.
The cops have urged all who are trading illegally to stop it.
“If you don’t have a licence to trade liquor, it’s better to sell vetkoek just to be on the safe side.”
Resident Nomvuyiso Yaphi (39) said they would report shebeen owners who sell alcohol illegally.
“We are willing to work with the police because when taverns that have licences close, drinkers go to shebeens that are open until three in the morning,” she said.
Nyanga police spokeswoman Captain Ntomboxolo Sitshitshi said most contact crimes are a result of liquor abuse and affect families, women, children and the vulnerable.
