Lerato Mbhiza
Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile has called on the police to shut down illegal taverns in the wake of the deadly fire in Laudium, Tshwane which claimed the lives of five children who were burned beyond recognition on Sunday morning.
The children – three boys aged 2, 4 and 6 and two girls aged 17-months and 7 years – were allegedly left without adult supervision overnight when their mothers went to a local tavern and spent the night.
The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation.
Maile visited the community on Monday.
“The issue of illegal shebeens is a big problem. It contributes towards crime and needs the enforcement of the law. We will communicate with MEC for community safety and police commissioner to start operations in this area because they create a lot of problems, they cause revenue loss for the government.
“It is clear there are many social ills affecting this community. Also, illegal connections make the work of the government very difficult, and we ask the municipalities to enforce the law.”
The two women have been arrested
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