The booze devil raises tempers in Shaka’s Head

After a 16-year-old girl was reportedly almost raped by two drunk men in Shaka’s Head, the community has called for action against a liquor store believed to be behind a recent increase in drunken and disorderly behavior.

Owned by retired principal Budhram Pecku and his wife Joycee for almost two years, Macks General Dealer and Liquor Store in Shaka’s Head is run out of his home, directly opposite an AFM church.

Budhram previously had a Juba licence allowing him to sell only traditional beer.

After the new KZN Liquor Act came into play two years ago, Juba licences were automatically converted to liquor licences.

This process did not require the usual notice and objection period before the liquor store opened. Although the store operates from 8am to 8pm, patrons wreak havoc in what used to be a relatively quiet area.

Residents who live on the same road as the business complain of constant disruptions.

Drunk customers camp outside their homes blocking the road, urinate in their gardens and harass passers-by.

“We have complained almost every day to the police. Every weekend and sometimes on weekdays people loiter in the street – some people even bring camp chairs! Broken bottles litter the street. When we try to pass, if they do not know you, then they all start kicking the car. We cannot have guests over because they are too scared to visit us,” said one neighbour who asked to remain anonymous.

Women and children cannot walk along the road as they are in danger of being groped by drunk strangers.

Also read: Mixed feelings over Westbrook bottle store

The outraged mother of a teenage girl who was almost raped, said the authorities and the owner had no interest in protecting them.

“A few months ago my daughter was walking home when two drunk men standing outside the liquor store grabbed her and dragged her into the bush. A neighbour spotted them and screamed, frightening them off. A few weeks ago she was harassed on the road again. How am I supposed to feel as a mother, knowing that I cannot protect my daughter?

“The owner refuses to do anything so long as he makes his money. A case was opened at Umhlali SAPS but nothing has been done to date. What more needs to happen?”

AFM church pastor Allington Madonsela accused Budhram and his wife of being rude and having a ‘don’t care’ attitude. He was forced to cancel his evening services as his congregation felt unsafe travelling along the road to the church.

“The drunk people outside the bottle store are out of control and people fear for their lives. I have tried speaking to the owner and he basically said he does not care. People even urinate on the church fence. The owners just ignore the complaints.

“Now we are raising money to erect a higher fence around the church for protection. This is an inconvenience as we are a small church and every cent counts.”

Umhlali SAPS warrant officer Shaleen Ramlakan visited the residents last Thursday to address the complaints. During the meeting, she compiled a detailed report which was sent to the KZN Liquor Board for review.

She said SAPS’ hands were often tied as the criminal act now allows for people to drink alcohol in public (public drunkenness is still prohibited).

KZN Liqour Board district inspector Khetha Nhlumayo told the Courier they had received complaints previously and that they would be looking into the report from next week.

“The owner is responsible for making sure that no one consumes alcohol or causes a disturbance five metres from his premises. We received an anonymous objection once, which unfortunately cannot be taken into consideration as it was anonymous.

“SAPS also informed us of the issue and we did and are still investigating.

“This goes beyond just the liquor board and it is also a municipal issue as they are drinking on the road. I will be speaking to all parties by next week,” she said.

However Budhram denied that his liquor store was a problem.

“I am not sure why people are complaining and want to shut my business down. I do know that sometimes people drink alcohol on the road but I do not know what to do about it.

“SAPS suggested that a security guard be appointed to clear the area and I will think about this.

“If the community continues to try and close my business down, I want to assure them that I will not go down without a fight.”

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