The commissioner of Mundri West County, Zelipha Dawa, has implemented an order recently issued by the Western Equatoria State Governor, Alfred Futuyo, which prohibits the sale of spirits and narcotics.
In the local orders seen by The City Review, Dawa banned the substances, terming them harmful to the residents.
The order states: “In relation to Gubernatorial Order No. o4/2022, the public is hereby reminded that alcoholic beverages containing spirits, namely: Royal Gin, Landon Number One, and others, are prohibited from being sold in shops and bars.”
The order also issued a three-day grace period for the shops, bar owners, and other suppliers to run their stocks.
It banned the consumption of opium, marijuana, and marungi, as well as other illicit drugs.
“If they are discovered, they will be detained and brought to face justice and consequences as previously stated.”
She ordered police to search anyone who might own the aforementioned substances, and those found in possession of them should be arrested.
All bar owners, including local bars (Andayat), are told to open their selling spots after working hours. She warned that failure to do so would lead to fines or confiscation of license.
According to the directives, a team from the municipal administration and police is expected to inspect businesses for general cleanliness and sanitation.
Last week, Governor Futuyo issued an order banning the sale of spirits and narcotics as a reinforcement to the similar one issued last year.
“The purpose of this state order is to restrict the sale of certain drinks and drugs in shops, stores, and pharmacies due to their bad impact on people’s health,” it partially stated.
He also issued another order specifying the penalties for anyone who violates it.
As per the penalties, any person found selling spirits such as Star Gin, Royal Gin, and London will be fined SSP 1,000,000, while narcotics like Tramol, Marungi, and Bangi will attract a fine not less than SSP 250,000.
Dawa and Futuyo said the decision was made to avert death and mental-health disorders as well as to reduce the crime which is common in the state.
The orders are yet to bear the result as it is the first time for such an order to be issued in the state.