KACHASU BREWER RAIDED!

In an effort to curb the manufacturing of illicit beer in Solwezi District, Solwezi Municipal Council in conjunction with Zambia Police has between the period 20th to 24th June, 2022 raided Forty-Seven (47) households where illegal brewing of Kachasu has been taking place; confiscating 515 Litres of Kachasu.

During the operation, it was observed that households in Town Centre, Zambia compound, Kyawama compound, College area, Kimiteto, Mushitala, Kandemba and Wisdom areas are brewing and storing Kachasu in their houses; an act which is illegal.

Besides that, the sellers of the said illicit beer have now introduced packaging of the brewed beer in ice block plastics which is posing a danger to children. In view of this, 150 sachets of the beer and 9 bottles of counterfeit Gold Blend Whisky have been seized from some markets and bus stations.

According to Section 34 of the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011, a person shall not manufacture or produce any alcoholic drink, brew or concoction by means of the process of the fermentation of sugar, treacle, malt or other substances, or by the distillation of fermented or distilled produce, for the purpose of selling or supplying the drink, brew or concoction to any person.

Further, the Public Health Act Chapter 295 of the Laws of Zambia, stipulates that any Medical Officer of Health or Sanitary Inspector or any Police Officer of or above the rank of Sub-Inspector or any other person generally or specially authorized in writing by the Director of Medical Services or Local Authority, may at any hour reasonable for the proper performance of the duty, enter any land or premises to make any inspection or to perform any work or to do anything which is required or authorized by the Act.

Solwezi Municipal Council is warning residents that are in the habit of manufacturing and selling illicit beer within their homes that it is illegal and any person who brews Kachasu or any other illegal beer commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty units which is equivalent to K60, 000.

Furthermore, residents are encouraged to report vices such as the brewing and selling of illegal beer in compounds that is contributing to lawlessness among young people in the district.

-Solwezi Municipal Council