Mama’s Shabeen yet to be reopened despite Kaliati orders

Ntcheu District Authorities have not yet opened Mama’s Shabeen despite the directive of Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, Saturday, for Ntcheu police to do so.

Despite the minister’s directive, the owner of the shabeen was required to write a letter to the District’s Liquor Licensing Committee requesting for the reopening of the beer drinking joint.

The Committee closed down the Shabeen three months ago on poor sanitation grounds besides promoting commercial sex amongst under aged girls.

Kaliati gave the directive at Masitimale Community Ground in Ntcheu during a ‘youth back to school’ campaign launching ceremony for Ntcheu West Constituency, after the owner of the shabeen, Rabecca Bakuwa pleaded with minister that she would not commit the offence again.

“Since you have realized your offence and that you are ready to abide by the law by not engaging under-aged girls into prostitution any more, I then direct the police to reopen your business premises,” said Kaliati.

Kaliati said she ordered the closure of the shabin to warn and give a lesson to other bar operators who under the pretext of selling beer, run prostitution and commercial sex businesses.

“Police would have charged you for human trafficking, but that aside it takes a gentle lady to say I am sorry and I am convinced that there will not be  activities and practices which can in the long run contribute to the promotion of prostitution at you business remises,” said Kaliati

She however said one of the conditions to ensure that the shabin is prostitution free is that law enforcers continuously monitor the shabin.

Earlier in her public speech during the ceremony, Bakuwa refuted that she had been promoting prostitution and that the closure of her business was a great blow to her family’s livelihood.