The CEO of the Free State Gambling and Liquor Board (FSGLB) Matilda Gasela has encouraged Free State residents to complain to her office if they feel there are too many liquor outlets in their communities.

The whittling down of mushrooming liquor outlets is part of the Free State provincial government and FSGLB’s plan to confront the problem of under-age drinking and shut down illegal liquor outlets and bootleggers.

According to Gasela, before the authority awards a license for the establishment of a liquor outlet, it takes into the consideration the vicinity where the establishment will operates. The authority ensures, among other things, whether the liquor outlet is situated next to a school, a clinic or a church.

Gasela has vowed that the FSGLB will work with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on unlicensed liquor outlets and bootleggers.

She also promised tough action against tavern owners who sell liquor to children as young as 12.

“We know very well it is illegal to sell alcohol to minors and yet there are parents who still send their children to the taverns to buy alcohol for them. The tavern owners are also selling alcohol to young girls who end up getting involved in crime or prostitution. They know it is against law and we will take their licenses away,” said Gasela.

Nkosinathi Zulu lives in warden with his three siblings. He is the eldest and relies on government’s child grants for his two brothers and little sister to take care of the family. However, Zulu uses the grant money to buy alcohol. He claims he drinks alcohol to try and forget his life’s problems

According to Zulu, alcohol is easily accessible in Warden and most liquor outlets sell alcohol to children in broad daylight.

Zulu’s parents died years ago leaving him to fend for himself and his siblings.  He occasionally does menial jobs. He endorses government’s drive to close down illegal liquor outlets and root out alcohol abuse by children.