Operators of the closed liquor businesses at Kwaluseni are appealing for a review of government’s decision to halt operations.
They said they desperately needed to continue operating so they could service bank loans they took to finance their businesses.
The operators made this appeal during a meeting with Kwaluseni Member of Parliament (MP) Sifiso Shongwe at the inkhundla centre yesterday.
A representative from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, as well as Kwaluseni traditional authorities, were expected to attend, but they did not make it.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
The closed businesses include Ekhayeni Chillaz, Varsity Corner Bottle Store and Varsity Restaurant & Liquor, Liquid Lounge, and OK Liquor.
The liquor business operators proceeded with the meeting and requested the MP to convey their appeal to the relevant ministry, and to further discuss the matter in Parliament until a positive outcome is reached.
During the meeting, the businesspeople asked that their businesses be allowed to operate, even under stringent conditions. One such condition, they suggested, could be ensuring that all businesses close at stipulated times instead of operating all night.
“Sishikisha tandla, sibeNkhosi. The people in various public offices should not use their authority to suppress us and claim it is an order from the King,” said the businesspeople.
This request comes after all liquor outlets along the Kwaluseni corridor were closed down — some late last year, while others ceased operating at the end of July.
The closures followed a decision by the Liquor Licensing Board, under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.
It was reported that the decision was driven by complaints that UNESWA students were drowning in liquor due to the number of liquor businesses operating opposite the institution, among other concerns.
The operators, however, argued that they were young Eswatini citizens who, due to unemployment, started businesses that also employed other young people.
They noted that this was in line with His Majesty’s call to create employment opportunities and improve the economy.
“The youth we had employed had families for whom they were responsible. Like us, they had financial obligations which they can no longer meet because they lost their jobs,” said Temavulane Motsa.
They further mentioned that since their licenses were still valid, they could resume operations if authorities allowed them.
The operators also told the MP that, because they could no longer service their loans, it would be difficult for financial institutions to grant them more loans to start afresh, even if they secured new operating spaces away from Kwaluseni.
One operator, Msutfu Masilela, expressed concern over the justification for the closures, which cited excessive drinking by university students.
He argued that in other countries, liquor outlets even operate inside tertiary institutions, but students still manage to balance their studies with their social life.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
