21 Feb 2017

Kgosi Keolefile Phihadu of Werda has urged other headmen or dikgosana to play an active role in the fight against illegal traditional beer brewing that is currently bedevilling the village.

Kgosi Phihadu said in an interview that he had taken a decision to temporarily halt issuance of traditional beer permits to abate the problem and address the health issues that emanated from brewing traditional beer.

“As a leader, I strive to safeguard the health of my morafe. Traditional beer brewing spots in my village do not adhere to health and safety standards. You will find that they are no pit latrines or toilets where consumers can relieve themselves and the environment in such places is normally not clean. I want traders to solve these issues before I can go ahead with license issuance,” he said.

Kgosi Phihadu also indicated that headmen were not correctly relaying the important information to residents at ward level adding that would later swell conflicts between permit seekers and him (Kgosi) as the licensing officer.

He highlighted that under the traditional beer regulations, only four traditional beer items were prescribed by law which included khadi (brewed from moretlwa berries), setopoti (brewed from water melons), mokuru (from sorghum) and Ila (made from maize meal and sorghum), adding anything outside the stipulated four was prohibited.

Further, he expressed concern that people continued to disobey the law by brewing beverages that were not allowed.

“I heard of ginger beer that is imported from South Africa that is prepared for sale. We continue to inform perpetrators that what they are doing is wrong and also deadly to the health of fellow villagers,” he added.

As such, Kgosi Phihadu warned that he would continue to tighten the grip on illegal traditional beer brewing with or without the backing of his juniors.

He stated that he was entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the health and security of his people, an obligation he was prepared to execute at all cost.

Meanwhile, Werda Police station commander, Assistant Superintendent Mompoloki Ramatsia said as law enforcement officers their main duty was to arrest those who brewed traditional beer without permits.

He noted that from January to December 2016, 20 cases of people that brewed traditional beer without permits were recorded. BOPA