The sale of alcohol from unlicensed liquor outlets has for a long time been a bone of contention between the police, community members and the liquor outlet owners.

To clamp down on unlicensed liquor traders, the Wembezi police held a Crime Prevention Operation on Friday, August 19.

Several litres of liquor were seized.

“During the operation seven unlicensed premises were closed down and seven owners were charged. The arrests included a 34 and 50-year-old female, and five males aged between 22 and 44,” commented police spokesperson Captain Charmaine Struwig.

The seven suspects were released on notices to appear in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on September 17.