Mufulira mothers deserted by ‘shebeen’ hubbies

August 9, 2012 | Filed under: Featured Stories | Posted by: web editor

By ALEX NJOVU
MUFULIRA district commissioner Beatrice Mithi says some women in Kankoyo are allegedly stranded after being abandoned by their husbands who patronise illegal bars, commonly known as shebeens, where they watch pornographic movies with suspected prostitutes.
Ms Mithi said in an interview in Mufulira on Tuesday that her office is overwhelmed with reports of women being stranded with their children after being abandoned by their shebeen-patronising husbands.
“I have been receiving these reports for the past three weeks. A good number of our women are stranded in Kankoyo with their children after being deserted by their husbands,” she said.
Ms Mithi described the situation as worrying and called on the police to move in and arrest owners of illegal bars in the sprawling township.
“What is going on in Kankoyo township is worrying and there is need for the police to move in and arrest the people who own illegal bars. We cannot have a situation where our women are being left by their husbands because of what goes on at the shebeens,” she said.
Ms Mithi also said the local authority should demolish illegal structures that are being used as bars in Kankoyo.
And a Daily Mail crew that visited Kankoyo on Tuesday to have an on-the-spot check on shebeens was warned by some patrons and shebeen owners against interfering in their activities.
“We know all our customers and in any case you don’t drink beer. We know those who drink our beer. What do you want and where are you coming from? Please just leave in peace,” a male patron, who only identified himself as Bwasi, said.
Patriotic Front Mpelembe ward councillor Chilufya Chomba also cautioned the crew against gathering information from people at shebeens because most of them are violent.
“We cannot even escort you to the shebeens, they can burn us alive. Our homes can be burnt; don’t go there, it is very dangerous. Most of these people are violent. They can do anything just to protect their illegal business,” Mr Chomba said.
Last week, Mr Chomba expressed concern at the number of shebeens mushrooming in Kankoyo which allegedly host prostitutes and school-going children and allow them to watch pornographic movies with adult patrons.