Kapiri Council closes lodges

Kapiri Council closes lodges

 

Kapiri Mposhi, January 29, ZANIS —– Kapiri Mposhi District Council has closed three guest houses in the district for operating outside their business mandates and without valid trade licenses.

 

This was after Council Public Health Inspector, Austin Musakabantu led a team of health inspectors and council police officers today who unexpectedly inspected and instantly issued closing orders of the three outlets.

 

The Lodges that have been closed include Unity Motel, Chanika Lodge and Blue House Guest House and Bar.

 

Mr Musakabantu said the lodges were operating in contravention with the provisions of the Public Health Act Cap 295 and Food and Drugs Act 303 of the laws of Zambia respectively.

 

The outlets were operating in insanitary environments as they did not have reliable sources of running water and had expired trading licenses.

 

The local authority was also prompted to close the hospitality premises after discovering that all its food handlers had no medical certificates.

 

“The sanitary conditions at the three guest houses are very unkempt starting from the linen to food for guests, we cannot go on like this because if we don’t act we will allow these businesses to pass on diseases to their clients at will,” Mr Musakabantu said.

 

Mr Musakabantu further revealed that the affected guesthouses were also being used as brothels and as hideouts for criminals in the district.

 

Last week Police rounded-up 14 commercial sex workers from the same lodges.

 

“We moved in to close these guest houses in this ongoing operation which intends to bring sanity to our district,” stated Mr Musakabantu.

 

The Council Health Inspector noted that most public premises in the district such as bars and restaurants were also operating below the minimum health and hygiene standards adding that the local authority will not relent to moving in to close all outlets flouting the law.

 

He said the council will only allow affected lodge operators to reopen their outlets after complying with the law.