The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Correspondent
WITHOUT any tinge of doubt, the news of the re-opening of bottle stores under strict guidelines came as sweet music to the twitchy ears of the drinking community.
Government announced last month that bottle stores could resume operations, although on-site consumption remain illegal.
For months, guzzlers could only get their booze from supermarkets. However, following the relaxation, bottle stores are certainly buzzing again. Loud music is now coming from these joints as they dust up and shake the rust off.
Merchants have applauded the move after enduring a five-month slump in business due to the measures put in place to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dodgy business, edgy imbibers
The blanket ban on bottle-stores and night club operations left both imbibers and traders in a torrid situation as some battled to adjust to the new normal. In spite of the embargo, others were defiant and continued operating clandestinely. As a result, several shebeens sprouted across the entire province.
Part of the covert plot saw unlicensed grocery shops selling liquor to desperate imbibers who were living on the fringes of the lockdown through non-compliance.
At times, regular customers would stealthily sneak into ‘closed’ bottle stores to quench their thirst. Police raids would see imbibers being rounded up and charged with breaching the law, while the liquor loot would be confiscated. Therefore to avoid this, operators would grease the palms of unscrupulous officers in order to be spared.
Needless to say, these merchants were putting the health of their patrons and themselves at risk for profits at a time when everyone needed to play a part in containing Covid-19.
As some ‘activists’ were lobbying for the re-opening of beer outlets, others decided to use their creativity to put the message across.
Zim-dancehall upstart, Fidel’s track ‘Ndasuwa Bhawa’ became a soundtrack for the movement. In no time it became an anthem on social media.
Misplaced relief
Following the partial relaxation of measures to curb Covid-19, a video of pleasure-seekers toasting to the development surfaced and went viral on social media.
The quest to quench their pesky thirst has seen some guzzlers flocking their favourite drinking spots to drown in the wise waters.
Operators are determined to get back on their feet quickly. A bottle store operator in Dangamvura, Mutare – Mr Herbert Simango shared his thoughts with The Manica Post.
“A lot of us lost out in terms of business. Most of us are renting the premises we operate from. Therefore we still had to pay rent despite the lockdown. In addition, my liquor licences expired during the lockdown period and I have to meet the costs of renewing it, yet I’m yet to recover from the protracted inactivity,” said Mr Simango.
Another trader who preferred anonymity also counted his losses.
“I am glad to be back in business. This period has been really difficult for the industry. By and large, we suffered severely. In fact, we were choking. Remember we survive from running these beer outlets. When we closed shop, operators were not the only ones affected. We had to lay off some workers. However, it is critical for us to find ways of surviving in this new normal. Sadly, some may find it difficult to stay afloat,” he said.
Victor Muchisi, a Sakubva resident, is excited about the bottle-stores re-opening: “We hail the Government for easing some of the lockdown measures. The re-opening of bottle stores coincided with the resumption of major football leagues in Europe, which is perfect for us. My friends and I are armchair analysts of the game and enjoy watching soccer matches at the pubs.”
Enjoying responsibly
While bottle stores were given the green light to re-open for the sale of alcohol, there is supposed to be no on-site consumption.
In addition, bars and nightclubs remain closed. However, most operators are ignoring these guidelines to cash in on the situation, with imbibers spending hours holed up in the bottle stores.
Vendors selling airtime, cigarettes and snacks at the bottle stores are also back in full force.
Mutare City Council’s health services director, Dr Antony Mutara, said this is not the time for complacency and dropping our guard as we battle the pandemic.
“This is not a licence to careless behaviour. We need to remain vigilant and follow all the health guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“We ought to prevent an upsurge in positive cases again. The war against coronavirus is still on, we have to fight hard to defeat this invisible enemy,” said Dr Mutara.
He said all the measures put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19 remain in place and must be strictly adhered to, adding that as the guzzlers gulp their liquor, they should remain sober to the lingering threat of coronavirus.
“We need to continue wearing face masks whenever we are in public places, washing our hands with soap under running water, hand sanitising and observing physical distancing. All premises must still be periodically disinfected, with the staff getting tested.
“Not more than 50 people should congregate for social gatherings and no alcohol should be consumed at the point of sale,” he said.
Bottle stores are also required to operate within the stipulated business hours, which run between 6.30am and 6.30pm. However, this is proving to a challenge for any operators as they remain open late into the night.
In addition, the crowds at the watering halls often exceed the recommended 50.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa issued a stern warning to the beer retailers who are breaking the law.
“Police patrols will continue as we closely monitor the situation to ensure that there is no uncouth behaviour. Patrons have to enjoy responsibly without getting carried away. We call for vigilance as this is a shared concern which calls us to collective duty,” said Inspector Kakohwa..
