Minister of Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, has warned bar owners in Lilongwe that they will face arrest if they allow children to enter their establishments.

The warning came during a meeting between the ministry, the Lilongwe City Council, and the Bar Owners Association, where they discussed regulations on liquor and children.

The minister expressed concern over the number of children, including teenage girls working as bartenders, who are patronizing bars and abusing drugs or alcohol.

“Please warn your bar owner members on this, I don’t want to be your enemy when I come to close your bar and arrest you,” said Kaliati.

She urged the association to educate their members on the laws to avoid arrest when law enforcement takes action.