NYANZA - Grassroots leaders, who protect brewers of banned alcohol, will, from now, be penalised, the Southern Province Executive Secretary, Jeanne Izabiriza, has warned.

Izabiriza, said; "Leaders are supposed to help the society, but once some of them start to be involved in such malpractices they should know that they will be held accountable. We shouldn’t even be calling such people leaders.”

"To resolve this issue, we will start by a systematic identification of the brewers and their collaborators and then take appropriate measures within the law. Whoever is involved will be punished; even local leaders if we found out that there are any.”

She was reacting to reports that some local leaders aid the making of banned liquor like ‘Nyirantare’, ‘Muriture’ and ‘Ibikwangari’ which is blamed for various crimes in the province.

At a security meeting that drew district mayors, security and prosecution officials, on Wednesday, it was noted that some leaders, particularly cell and village leaders, have always been bribed to cover up the makers of the illegal brew.

Latest reports indicate that cases of physical violence and sexual harassment top the crime list in the province.

At least 44 cases of physical violence and 23 cases of sexual abuse were registered in October, compared to 17 cases of physical violence and five cases of rape which were recorded in September.

The rise was attributed to the consumption of illegal brews in the local community. "It is clear that someone who consumes banned drinks can also commit any crime. They are the same people who rape and are involved in various misconducts that cause insecurity,” Izabiriza added.

"After punishing all illegal brewers and consumers, security will improve and crime rate will certainly decline,”she added

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