Rietkol business owner complains about alleged illegal shebeens
“Our members have visited the dwellings as pointed out by Morris, but could not find evidence of an illegal shebeen.”
The owner of a sports bar situated in Rietkol is highly upset about the alleged existence of four illicit shebeens where alcohol, according to him, is sold without licenses.
Grant Morris told Streeknews these alleged illegal shebeens are close to his licensed sports bar in Buiten Street, Rietkol.
Morris does not only complain about the shebeens, apparently harming his income as a licensed bar, but according to Morris the Sundra Police also do not attend to the complaints he logs at the station.
“The result is customers are too afraid to come to my bar as it is dangerous with many intoxicated people and loud music around the other places.
“I believe at some of the dwellings they also sell drugs. There are definitely people using drugs – I have seen it with my own eyes,” said Morris.
Streeknews in turn contacted the commander of the Sundra Police, Captain Linky Olckers, with the allegations that Morris’ calls are not being attended to.
Olckers then referred Streeknews to Mpumalanga police management who works with complaints against police stations.
Streeknews addressed the issue of Sundra SAPS not attending to Morris’ calls and the alleged illegal shebeens via e-mail to the colonel on May 30. On June 4, Olckers contacted Streeknews.
“Our members have visited the dwellings as pointed out by Morris, but could, however, not find any evidence of an illegal shebeen,” Olckers told Streeknews.
“Our members did find a fridge, but it was empty and there were no signs of bottles or cans, empty or full. The owner was however warned that if he should conduct business as a shebeen, legal action would be taken.”
Morris however insists an illegal shebeen is being operated around his premises in Rietkol and that the police do not answer his phone calls or attend to complaints laid by him. Morris provided Streeknews with photos, but no evidence of a shebeen was visible on any of the photos.
As Morris insisted on the existence of the alleged shebeens and Sundra SAPS allegedly not attending to his calls and complaints, Streeknews once again contacted Olckers on July 4.
“Sundra SAPS members visited the dwellings again but were not able to find any evidence of shebeen activity at the premises that Morris pointed out,” Olckers confirmed.
“About Morris’ constant calls not being attended to, it is extremely difficult for Sundra SAPS to attend to every call he makes to the station due to our limited resources”.
