Police warn against the sale of Buganu without a license

By Bongiwe Zwane-Maseko

With the Marula season already in full swing, the Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) has warned members of the public against the abuse of the traditional brew and selling to members of the public without a valid license.

REPS Deputy Police Information and Communications inspector Nosipho Mnguni said the brewing and drinking of Buganu at the domestic level was permissible but the police were against the illegal sale of the brew to the public.

“We will be doing regular spot checks to ensure that this does not happen because people then tend to drink irresponsibly, leading to fights and involvement in criminal activities. We would like to warn people to drink responsibly,” she said.

The Buganu Festival is expected to be held before the end of the month and is usually attended by Their Majesties and thousands of women from across the kingdom. The Marula fruit contains four times more vitamin C than Oranges and is rich in nutritious proteins, minerals and active anti-oxidants.