Maseru, Feb. 24 — Following a recent study revealing an increase in illegal liquor outlets operating in Teyateyaneng and Maseru, the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) says it is intensifying efforts to clamp down on all unlicensed liquor shops.
In an interview with the LMPS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Thabo Mohai, he emphasised that Lesotho has clear laws regulating the buying and selling of alcohol and anyone found violating these laws will be brought before the courts of law.
He said the police will continue to enforce compliance and ensure that illegal traders are held accountable.
Superintendent Mohai further urged members of the public to refrain from engaging in unlawful activities, including the operation or support of illegal liquor outlets, stating that such acts undermine public safety and the rule of law.
The findings follow a study conducted to examine the link between alcohol availability and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in communities such as Lithoteng in Maseru and Ha Mokhothu in Teyateyaneng.
The research revealed that the increasing number of both licensed and unlicensed alcohol outlets contributes significantly to rising incidents of GBV.
According to the study, alcohol availability, affordability, and easy access create an environment where violent behaviour escalates, especially in households and intimate relationships. Findings indicate that 86% of women and girls continue to experience GBV, while 40% of such cases involve men, statistics that strongly correlate with areas where alcohol is widely accessible.
The report stresses that unregulated liquor trading not only fuels harmful drinking patterns but also places vulnerable groups at heightened risk. It recommends stronger enforcement of alcohol laws, community awareness, and coordinated efforts between government, law-enforcement agencies, and civil society to curb both illegal alcohol trading and GBV.
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