Update

GEORGE NEWS - It is unclear if local police has executed the national police minister's "order" to close down all illegal shebeens in the Western Cape within 48 hours. Minister Bheki Cele called for the closure of illegal shebeens at an imbizo held at the Thembalethu Stadium during an official visit to George on 29 March.

The "order" was given in his address, where he said these shebeens contribute to crime because they are not regulated.

Community Safety MEC Alan Winde said this call was unrealistic and called it "politicking". He said that there has been no evidence that the call had been heeded, and it is not surprising, seeing that the minister is based in Pretoria, far away from the problems faced by Western Cape residents. "It also shows Cele's complete lack of understanding of the scale of the problem."

According to Winde it is estimated that in the Western Cape alone, there could be up to 25 000 illegal shebeens. "Illegal operators act outside of the law, and the only body which can shut them down is the police. Cele lost the battle against illegal shebeens long ago, which have been allowed to burgeon unhindered for over a decade. Cele is a sleeping beauty who seems to have woken up one month before the election," he said.

Bheki Cele during his visit in George. Photo: Zolani Sinxo

"Even though we do not have a mandate over illegal operations, the Western Cape Government has taken action. Through our Alcohol Harms Reduction (AHR) Game Changer pilots, we have been at the forefront of attempts to address the issue of illegal trading and associated alcohol harms."

Attempts to get comment from the local police about the execution of Cele's "order" were unsuccessful.

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