Bar-hopping around Serowe over the weekend could leave one thinking they stumbled upon a neighbour’s funeral with entertainment establishments playing music at minimal volume.

This is also the case with weddings and churches, owing to the strict implementation of the Liquor Act and by-laws on noise and public nuisance by the Central District Council. While business people and members of the public are crying foul, the police say they are enforcing existing laws to maintain peace and harmony.

“We were just told that music should only be played at a low volume just for those who are inside the bar. What are we going to do with the DJs, sound equipment owners, artists and many others who benefit from this arrangement that will suffer? And we do not understand why that only happens in Serowe and not other places,” a bar owner who did not want to be named bemoaned.

Central District Council issued a rebuttal in response to “misleading statements” on Friday over the grievances by bar/liquor restaurant owners. They simply quoted Liquor Act 2008 Regulation 6(2) (a) which provides that “a liquor licensee may play music within the licensed premises provided the music is not loud”. They further wrote that restaurant-licensed premises are not allowed to play music during hours of operation.

For Serowe Police Station Commander, Superintendent Poloko Oteng, there is nothing special about what they are doing. “According to the law, bars should only play music within their premises while restaurants are not to play music at all.

“We are working with other stakeholders to ensure compliance by either visiting the establishments or responding to reports from neighbours. This we have always been doing as the law has always been there. We are doing more of it now because of the 60 days against crime,” he said.

Oteng added they are not only targeting bars, stating that this also applies to weddings, churches and other gatherings. He said they continue to educate the public while at it.

“We always try to educate the public that this is not done to punish them.

“We educate them and warn them in some instances. Those who repeatedly do it will be charged more and eventually, they could lose their trading licence,” he said.