Libode community closes illegal shebeens after two deaths

A Libode community took matters into its own hands by closing down six illegal taverns after two young men died and five others were injured in less than 24 hours over the Christmas period.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Sizwe Kupelo said the Mkhankatho community under the traditional leadership of Nkosi Tembekile Daluxolo Nogemane had met at the Zibawini great place on December 23 in the aftermath of the festive season violence. 

The fatal stabbings of Sinoxolo Nogemane, who is the son of the chief, and Bheka Jali occurred at illegal taverns in the village, as the Dispatch reported on Christmas Eve. 

“We resolved to embark on a mission to restore law and order by closing illegal taverns that mushroomed over the festive season,'' Kupelo said.

Kupelo, who is the provincial health department spokesperson, is also a resident of Mkhankatho. He stressed that his statement had nothing to do with his job, but he had been tasked by the community and traditional leaders to speak on their behalf.

He said 600 villagers agreed to close those taverns which operate without licences.

''We call on police minister Bheki Cele and Eastern Cape provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga as well as the Eastern Cape Liquor Board to visit the area following the December 23 violence,” Kupelo said.

''We strongly believe an intervention by the minister and provincial commissioner would lead to a decrease in crime in the area. Mkhankatho falls under the police cluster of Mthatha, which was identified as the murder capital of the Eastern Cape when the minister released the crime statistics in 2019.'' 

At the meeting, the community resolved that the owners of the illegal taverns should follow proper processes in applying for operating licences, and that these owners and families of the men accused of the killings should contribute towards the cost of the funerals of the two men.

''This is to maintain the peace. The criminal cases continue at the same time. We call on the Eastern Cape Liquor Board to intervene by having awareness campaigns specifically targeting the youth and those who want to start businesses selling alcohol,'' Kupelo said.

Minutes of the meeting, which the Dispatch has seen, show that the tavern owners are expected to pay penalty “fees” of live cattle and “two sheep of high quality”. 

He said the violence that occurred at the illegal taverns had also sparked a revival of the local community police forum. It will patrol the village and work closely with traditional and religious leaders as well as the police.

Kupelo said a local school would be approached so that its sports field could be used by youngsters.

''This will ensure that the youth is kept busy and away from social ills like alcohol and drug abuse. Working together we can address social ills and crack down on lawlessness. We have committed to work with the Libode police station to root out crime in Mkhankatho, but we need police to play their part as well.”

Community spokesperson Sisa Sogoni  said the community was outraged by the killings. 

"We have written to our king, AmaPondo AseNyandeni King Ndamase Ndamase, to inform him about our resolutions. We have also written to the provincial police commissioner and police management in the OR Tambo district. They support our move to close illegal shebeens and taverns, but we have still not agreed on the fines imposed," Sogoni said.