LCC warns alcohol traders selling beer to mourners at graveyards of stern action

In an interview with the Lusaka Star, Lusaka city council assistant public relations manager Brenda Katongola says the council is aware of illegal traders who are taking advantage of people who come to bury their beloved ones by selling them alcohol, an act she said has prompted illicit and immoral behaviour around cemeteries. THE Lusaka City Council has warned of stern action against alcohol traders selling beer to mourners around graveyards as the act is illegal and immoral.

In an interview with the Lusaka Star, Lusaka city council assistant public relations manager Brenda Katongola says the council is aware of illegal traders who are taking advantage of people who come to bury their beloved ones by selling them alcohol, an act she said has prompted illicit and immoral behaviour around cemeteries.

Ms. Katongola appealed to the people involved in the vice to immediately stop warning that the law will take its course.
She said the graveyard is a place that should be respected as it is where mourners pay their last respect to their departed ones.

Ms. Katongola told the Lusaka Star that the council will soon take action and pounce on all illegal traders trading around graveyards and that those found wanting will be dealt with accordingly.

The local authority staffer also advised people involved in the act to obtain trading licenses and sell their goods from business permitted places and not the graveyard adding that a graveyard is not a market.

And Ms. Katongola also said the council is aware that some graveyards are running out of space for people to bury their loved ones.

She said LCC is working round the clock to secure land that can be used to open another graveyard.

The Lusaka City Council Assistant Public Relations Manager added that the council is aware of the difficulties people are facing in finding space to bury their beloved ones and that the council is working with the ministry of lands to secure land.

She however noted that due to luck of graveyard space and as a short term solution, people will be allowed to bury their dead on some graves that are as old as 50 years to compensate for space.