Suburban
Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter
The City of Harare’s health services department has issued a closure order to Fat Cow Bar and Bottle Store which operates at Sunridge Shopping Centre effective immediately as the liquor store was found in violation of the Harare (Public Health By-Laws).
In a letter seen by Suburban and written to Tichaona Zhou of Fat Cow Bar and Bottle store dated March 21, the city’s director of health services said there were some operating conditions at the liquor store that contravened the Harare (Public Health By-Laws).
“An inspection carried out by the area environmental officer on 15 March 2023 revealed the following unsatisfactory conditions in contravention of the above stated by-laws which require your immediate attention:
- There are no sanitary facilities on your premises for exclusive use of patrons and staff
- There was no bar sitting area within the premises.
“In view of the above mentioned findings, this department hereby orders the above mentioned premises closed with immediate effect as they violate the aforementioned legislation.
The letter was copied to the Officer in Charge Mabelreign Police Station, the Secretary for the Liquor Licencing Board and the district officer for Mabelreign.
The move came ahead of meeting where Ward 16 residents are expected to hold talks with the City of Harare’s Environmental Management Committee over a petition they submitted calling for the closure of bars at Sunridge Shopping Centre.
The residents want the bars and liquor stores closed because of the noise pollution they are causing in the area and their patrons’ immoral behaviour.
