Minister of Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati has warned bar owners that her ministry will not merely close their bars but arrest owners if found letting children patronise their premises.
Kaliati made the remarks at an interface with Bar Owners Association where the ministry, Lilongwe City Council and the association discussed liquor rules and regulations as they relate to children.
The minister said it is her ministry’s concern to see increasing numbers of teen girls who work as bartenders in Lilongwe and other children patronising bars for liquor and drug/substance abuse.
Kaliati noted that this is a human rights violation issue as well as a health issue on the part of the children.
She urged the association to work on sensitisation campaigns on liquor-related laws so that they are not taken unawares when law enforcers pounce on them.
“Please warn your bar owner members on this, I don’t want to be your enemy when I come to close your bar and arrest you,” said Kaliati.
