The Lusaka City Council has arrested 20 people for patronising illegal bars near the National Institute of Public Administration and Evelyn hone College.
Council Assistant Public Relations Manager, Nyambe Bulumba says the arrests follow random inspections carried out by the Public Health Department and the Council police to ensure compliance with the laws regarding the sale of alcohol in that area.
Mr. Bulumba says the owners of the illegal bars fled in different directions when they saw the police and the Public Health Inspection team, leaving their customers behind.
He says the council police arrested 20 patrons who were found with illegal assorted beers called Chi Cup mixed with unknown substances and confiscated the beers.
Mr. Bulumba says the police have taken the arrested patrons to the Kabwata Police Station and will charge them with idle and disorderly conduct.
He says the council has repeatedly warned the people who sell alcohol illegally that NIPA and Evelyn hone premises are not designated places for liquor business, but they have ignored the warnings.
Mr. Bulumba says the illegal activities violate the Public Health Act Chapter 295 of the laws of Zambia and the Liquor Licensing Act number 20 of 2011. They also amount to Street Vending, which breaches Statutory Instrument number 12 of 2018.
He has cautioned both illegal bar owners and patrons that it will not stop enforcing the law to maintain order and safety in that area and the city at large.