Bar operators shun Mzuzu City meet

Bar owners in Mzuzu yesterday boycotted a meeting Mzuzu City Council (MCC) organised to iron out differences between residents and the operators.

Some residents in the city have protested the loud music that operators play in residential areas at night. They say the music not only disturbs them but also poses a security threat as people screaming for help cannot be heard when attacked.

To address the problem, MCC called for a meeting with bar owners but out of over 100 bar owners invited, only two showed up.

The boycott almost forced the council to call off the meeting, but they went ahead with the two and arranged for another meeting to endorse the solutions.

MCC assistant director of health Felix Namakhuwa said there is need for bar owners to take the issue seriously. He said the council expects good representation at the next meeting

Mzuzu Police Station operations officer George Mbayani said: “Police is ready to enforce laws, but there is need to strategise so that the council is not seen to be failing.”

Some of the affected areas are Chiputula, Katawa and part of Chimaliro, but so far only Mzilawayingwe residents have lodged a complaint.n