(ZIMPAPERS) Vendors bring ‘krango’ to doorsteps

Vendors bring ‘krango’ to doorsteps
Saturday, 24 September 2011 21:32 Features
By Edwin Mwase and Lincoln Towindo

AFTER failing to secure gainful employment since completing high school in Murehwa six years ago, Pasipanodya Muzhandamure (24) decided to become a full-time street vendor. Traversing the streets of Mabvuku daily with his pushcart laden with an assortment of fruits and vegetables as well as a variety of clothing items, bellowing himself hoarse has become part of his daily exertion.

Due to the ever-increasing number of unemployed youths selling the same merchandise in the streets of Harare, competition is at its stiffest these days.

“Having seen the competition increase exponentially in recent times I have been forced to diversify,” he says.

“In order to have an edge over my competitors I introduced a new brand of merchandise that is always in high demand.”

Apart from selling his usual commodities, Pasipanodya has now added alcohol to his merchandise.

He is one of a new kind of vendors who have suddenly become operators of “mobile bars”.

This new breed of “bar operators” has invaded the streets of a number of Harare suburbs selling illicit alcoholic beverages usually of foreign origin.

Alcohol brands known for being highly intoxicating such as Knock Out, Zed and Double Punch are the most popular. The bootleggers sell their merchandise discreetly to avoid the long arm of the law.

Muzhandamure said they were enjoying brisk business from their wide range of clients who included fellow vendors, commuter omnibus rank marshals, street kids and even some respected members of society.

He said they were managing to eke out a living despite frequent running battles with the municipal police.

“On a good day, we can make up to US$30 in profit but our main hindrance is the municipal police who usually raids us but we have perfected the art of our trade so much that we are now outwitting them most of the time,” he said.

A tout who preferred to be called “JT”, who had come for an early morning fix, said they preferred the “illicit mix” to the conventional beer because of its potency.
“The nature of our trade requires that we remain sloshed most of the day, so in terms of results, this kind of stuff is the best,” he said

Concerned neutrals have opposed this new trend as it exposes mostly children and women to the disorderly conduct of the imbibers.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said it was illegal to sell alcohol without a licence adding that the bootleggers would be prosecuted if caught.

“In order to sell alcoholic beverages, one must be in possession of a valid liquor licence as per the Liquor Act,” said Insp Sabau.

“Anyone found selling beer on the street or even in outlets that are not authorised to do so will be liable for prosecution. The law is very clear on the illegality of peddling and drinking beer outside the confines of designated places and anyone caught doing so will have to answer for that.”

Insp Sabau said police would intensify operations to curb the bootlegging especially in the wake of reports that it was on the increase.

“We are always intensifying our actions against the smuggling syndicates who bring these beverages into the country.

“As police, we will deal accordingly with those involved in the trafficking and selling of all those toxic substances, which are not certified under the Zimbabwean standards of beer,” he said.

Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said council, as the licensing authority for liquor retailers, would not license those who did not meet prescribed standards of operations.

“Those who are selling alcohol illegally in the suburbs should desist from such practices,” he said.

“As council we do not condone such practices and we will continue working with the police to nip that practice in the bud. We will only issue licences to those who meet the prescribed standards.”

Mrs Mercy Mkushi, head of secretariat at the Zimbabwe Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturers’ Association (ZABMA), said her organisation was lobbying all stakeholders to act against the selling of illicit brews.

“We are always in touch with Government and the public, lobbying, educating and campaigning for responsible manufacturing and drinking,” said Mrs Mkushi.

“These brews do not only affect adults, the young are also at risk. That is why we are always carrying out campaigns every now and then especially towards beer drinking peak times such as public holidays.”

She emphasised the need to engage people on an individual basis highlighting the dangers that arise from drinking the illicit brews.

“We are not only speaking to the Government since it is important to engage individuals as well.

“You can have laws and regulations against this practice, but it is futile if the person on the ground is not aware of the dangers that are associated with these beverages,” she said.

Experts who spoke to The Sunday Mail In-Depth expressed fear that the proposed National Alcohol Policy would promote the illegal beer market once promulgated. They said that the proposed Sunday beer ban would translate into brisk business for the illegal peddlers.

“The weekend beer ban would boost the illegal market since it would be the only place that people can get alcohol over the weekends,” said one expert.

Mrs Virginia Mubazangi of Budiriro bemoaned the continued prevalence in the trade of the substances in her community.

She said continued police inaction would encourage delinquency among young children.

“They have seen it proper to leave their previous habitats and invade our homes exposing our children to very dangerous beverages,” she said.

“These people are just after making profits and they do not care who buys their stuff. They do not look at whether their customers are adults or schoolchildren.

“The country’s laws are clear and police are not doing enough to curb this ill. The law states that no person under the age of 18 is allowed to purchase alcohol let alone enter premises where alcohol is sold,” she said.

Another Harare resident, Mr Christopher Gandanga, said: “Vulgar language, prostitution and unruly behaviour are some of the social ills associated with beer drinkers and bars that will be widespread in the local communities if this problem is allowed to fester.”

These strong alcoholic beverages, which have been christened “krango” by drinkers, originate mostly from Mozambique and find their way into the suburbs around Zimbabwe via a complex smuggling network.

According to the latest Global Status Report on Alcohol, Zimbabwe is ranked number 12 in Africa on the list of top beer drinking nations.-The Sunday Mail