Members of the House of Representatives have advised the Government to reinstate the procedure for issuing permits for people who are required to consume alcohol to control the indiscriminate consumption currently seen on the island.
This was stated today, Tuesday, February 17, 2025, during the question and answer session at the 11th meeting of the House of Representatives currently underway in Chukwani, Unguja Zanzibar. The representative for Mtambwe, Dr Mohamed Ali Suleiman said the Government does not see the need to put in place a procedure for issuing special permits for those who want to drink, to avoid possible consequences including the indiscriminate consumption of alcohol and even by young people.
Responding to the motion, the Minister of State, President’s Office, Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments of SMZ, Idrissa Mustafa Kitwana said that since the House is responsible for enacting laws, if they deem it appropriate, they can submit it to ensure that the matter is implemented. In the main question, Dr. Mohamed said there has been a significant increase in the importation of a type of alcoholic beverage known as Double Kick in recent days in Zanzibar, contrary to the Liquor Act No. 9 of 2020.
He said the liquor contains more than 43 percent alcohol, which causes serious effects on young people who consume it, wanting to know to what extent the Government recognizes this problem of the importation of the liquor.
He said the arbitrary importation of Double Kick along with its sale in regular shops here in Zanzibar, especially at night, is acceptable according to the Liquor Act No. 9 of 2020. Responding to the question, Minister Kitwana admitted that the Government recognizes that there has recently been the importation of double kick liquor, which is imported into the country by some legally licensed traders as they import other types.
“However, what we discovered is not in the importation, but rather in the distribution and sale, where some legally licensed traders provide young people with double kick liquor to sell in informal areas,” said Minister Kitwana and added.
“For example, selling in ordinary street shops is something that the Government has seen and has now started taking action to combat through the Liquor Advisory and Control Board, by conducting various operations and taking action against those who do business contrary to the laws and regulations of liquor,” Kitwana said.
Representative of women’s positions, Azza Januari Joseph, has advised that in order to address this challenge, it is advisable for the Government to increase the price of these products. However, Joseph said that increasing the price cannot be a solution to the consumption of the drink, instead there is a need to collaborate with the community to provide education to young people who are seen as the biggest consumers.
Joseph said there are allegations that young people are using the drink by mixing it with energy drinks on the grounds of increasing male power. The Liquor Control Act No. 9 of 2020, is the one that governs the import, distribution, storage and sale of liquor in Zanzibar. According to the law, the importer, distributor and seller of liquor must have obtained a license to sell, distribute or import liquor into the country as directed in section 25 (1) of the law.
