Act not solution to alcohol abuse in Botswana

The Liquor Act No.9 of 2004 came into effect on the 1st of April 2008, the day of President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama's inauguration as the fourth president of the Republic of Botswana.

In his inauguration speech, he emphasised among other issues the four D's; Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline as well as a need for improved efficiency within the public sector. Indeed indiscipline is a problem, particularly made worse by the abuse of alcohol and there is a need to greatly improve efficiencies within the public sector. The new act sets about to address the issue of alcohol abuse and the vigour with which it is being enforced shows that the message for efficiency is being taken "seriously". However I believe the new regulations were passed in haste without proper due consultations with all stakeholders and it will not achieve the desirable results instead it will worsen it.

The recent cancellation of a Jazz festival at the Fairgrounds is a glaring case in point. This was a show to showcase Botswana talent alongside African musical giants such as Oliver Mtukudzi. The organiser of the show had laid out a great assembly of performers and it was well attended, but it was abruptly stopped in the middle of an act with some of the invited artists still to perform. One wonders how these artistes felt being invited to a festival where they do not perform or their acts are cut short. This shows that the regulations are being enforced to the letter, but does this really address the real problem of alcohol abuse in Botswana?

Alcohol abuse does have a strong correlation to road traffic accidents, violent unruly behaviour and financial ruin, indiscriminate sexual behaviour leading to HIV/AIDS and STI infections, unwanted pregnancies and domestic violence. However I believe the correlation with legal liquor outlets opening hours is weak if not non-existent. There is indeed a need to curb abuse of alcoholic beverages by the public but this cannot be effectively attained by regulating legitimate liquor traders. By enforcing the new trading regulations, the authorities are in effect playing a role in creating another problem in the not too distant future, that of disinvestment in the industry, unemployment as a result as well as the proliferation of illegal trading outlets or systems such as stokvels and "shebeens". The regulations have been met with mixed reactions. Some sectors of the public have welcomed these regulations arguing that with time people will adjust and life will go on whilst on the other hand others such as LTA argue that they are being short changed and the viability of their businesses is being threatened as well as the livelihood of scores of people making a living out of the trade of alcoholic beverages.

Efforts to curb abuse of alcohol can have effective results if they are directed towards optimising already existing legislation such as road traffic laws, prohibition of selling liquor to under aged persons, domestic violence and public violence amongst others. One simply has to look at the prevalence of these vices to realise that they are not being effectively enforced. Every weekend or public holiday, there is rampant undeterred drinking and driving as well as road accidents, public and domestic violence, directly attributable to the abuse of alcohol. This is simply an indication that the punishments to such offences are light and do not serve as deterrents. The regulations do not address the consumption of alcohol at private functions such as parties or in one's own home. Alcohol consumption is simply going to move away from the pubs and clubs to the homes, under the guise of parties, where people simply horde the liquor and throw a party. The prohibition laws in the USA during the 1930's are a good indication of what can happen with the enactment of such legislation. The result was bootlegging and in our case the liquor regulations will not address the issue of alcohol abuse and its associated vices.

The best solution to effecting behaviour change, with respect to the abuse of alcohol, is to vigorously enforce already existing legislation such as those on drinking and driving. Traffic offences related to drinking should carry stiff penalties that are readily carried out. Convictions should not be carried out in court of laws, which will take months if not years to bring offenders to book. The law enforcement agents should have the jurisdiction over such offences and data bases of the same kept to keep a check on repeat offenders with stiffer penalties being meted out. Endorsements of driving licences for such offences should also be deterrent. The same should go for perpetrators of violence. Instead of getting away with fines, custodial sentences should be meted out timeously. Selling liquor to under aged persons should be strictly condemned as well as the policing of illegal liquor selling establishments with liquor traders playing their part in this regard to ensure responsible drinking. Parents and teachers should also be actively involved in curbing the abuse of alcohol, particularly by the youth. Liquor traders are not encouraging alcohol abuse by the times they open, rather it is the lack of enforcement of deterrent legislation that has resulted in the increase in irresponsible drinking and indiscipline. Disinvestment in the sector will have a knock on effect on a number of people particularly the youth who depend directly and indirectly on the liquor trade for an honest livelihood and this will be retrogressive to the need to create employment. Parliament should reconsider their position and take a more holistic approach to addressing this issue by seeking consultation with all stakeholder groups in appropriate fora that encourage interactive discourse to come up with win-win solutions for all.

Mmegi Online