ZANZIBAR Ports Corporation (ZPC) has seized 25 liquor containers belonging to three importers without licences from the Zanzibar Liquor Control Board (ZLCB).

Akif Ali Khamis, ZPC Director General said this here yesterday when speaking to journalists, admitting that the incident has also led to scarcity of alcoholic drinks in the isles.

“It is true that three companies namely One stop, Sicoch and ZMMI have imported liquor but up to yesterday we received a letter from ZLCB directing us not to release the drinks as the importers have not been permitted to do so,” he said.

However, he said that taxes on the cargo since imported into Zanzibar continue to be paid by the companies, saying the total cost will be determined in accordance with the law when new directive is issued about the consignment.

Regarding the burden of customs duty being charged and subsequently withheld, he said ZPC was not responsible for discussing such matter as it is managed by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

The decision to continue holding the containers goes against a ruling by the High Court of Zanzibar which said the Zanzibar Liquor Act number 9 of 2020 goes against the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984.       

Judge Gorge Kazi said in his ruling that article 33 (1} of the Liquor Act breaks the constitution of Zanzibar and the law of competition and protection of consumers number five of 2018 and on that basis all companies importing liquor should be given permits to comply with the requirements of the Constitution of Zanzibar.

One Stop, Sicoch and ZMMI have been in the liquor business for more than 30 years, paying more than 3bn/- in taxes per month, but they have been denied permits to import liquor.

The controversy on the importation of alcohol into Zanzibar was among the reasons for the resignation of the former Minister for Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Simai Mohamed Said a few days after meeting with investors in the tourism sector who complained to him about the shortage of alcohol.