One of the major evils of modern society in Namibia after independence, the mushrooming of usually illegal liquor outlets or shebeens has become a major concern for Windhoek residents, bringing noise pollution, alcohol and drug abuse and unruly behaviour into neighbourhoods. Most of the 6000 shebeens are illegal, except for 150 and the Windhoek municipality did little to change this. Now the municipality announced this week that those operating illegal shebeens without consent form the City, but have a valid licence, must closed them down. They must first apply for rezoning from "residential" to "business" and obtain approval from the City.