Johnthan Paoli
THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has released a report in which it holds the several government institutions directly accountable for the failure to prevent and its incompetence in handling the tragic death of 21 young people at the Enyobeni Tavern, in the Eastern Cape.
SAHRC Commissioner Nomahlubi Khwinana, joined by Eastern Cape Provincial Manager Eileen Carter published the report on Thursday and said that it unearthed systemic deficiencies across multiple sectors, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect vulnerable populations and uphold human rights.
“The Enyobeni Tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to re-calibrate regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to prioritise the protection of children’s rights,” the commission said.
This follows the tragic deaths of 21 young people between the ages of 13 and 21 at the Enyobeni Tavern, East London in 2022.
The report found that there was inadequate enforcement of liquor regulations by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), failure to address community complaints, and insufficient oversight by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM).
Furthermore, the report found there were seriously delayed and opaque processes within the Department of Health regarding investigation findings and inquest proceedings; and neglect by the Trade and Social Development Departments to prioritise crucial legislative measures aimed at curbing alcohol abuse.
The commission proposed a series of target recommendations, including implementing a moratorium on issuing on-site licenses until capacity for effective monitoring is bolstered; prioritising the re-tabling and enactment of critical legislative measures and strengthening enforcement mechanisms to address violations of regulations.
The commission said that while it acknowledged the economic contributions of the liquor industry, it remained imperative to reassess the societal costs and prioritise the well-being of vulnerable populations.
“The Commission calls for decisive action to address systemic deficiencies and safeguard the rights of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable among us,” the report read.
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