Tzaneen police concerned over increased number of taverns
The police in the Tzaneen cluster are concerned about the increasing number of taverns in the Bolobedu area, as well as that they contribute to more crimes that occur in the area daily
LIMPOPO – This was reported by Tzaneen Police Cluster Commander, Brig Thomas Shingange during a meeting with the leader of Balobedu, regent prince Mpapatla Modjadji and his council in Khetlhakone Village outside Modjadjiskloof on Friday.
Modjadji said they were concerned because even if they passed a moratorium that no tavern licence applications must be approved, they continued to flourish in the area.
Speaking through the Secretary of the Modjadji Royal Council, Moshakge Molokwane, Modjadjii said they would work closely with the headmen from more than 136 villages around the Bolobedu area, as well as the police to root out crime and illegally operating taverns.
Shingange said most of the cases which were prevalent in the Bolobedu area include murder, rape, assault and armed robbery. He said these cases occur when people are under the influence of alcohol, especially after spending time at taverns.
According to Shingange, tavern owners also violated their business licence stipulations by playing very loud music, and in so doing, disturbed other residents in the area, especially on weekends.
He warned that tavern owners must first get permission if they invited DJs to perform, as such performances were considered special events, which must be monitored by law enforcement.
He further said it was at these kinds of events that most of the crimes mentioned took place.
“One of the reasons for this is that neighbours are disturbed by the noise and get angry about it. They go to the tavern to complain and one thing leads to another when the tavern owner refuses to turn the music down, often ending in violence,” he explained.
