STAFF REPORTER|
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has slammed ‘unscrupulous’ shebeen owners who are making money off the dreams and lives of young people by breaking the law and selling them alcohol.
Ramaphosa was delivering his eulogy at the mass funeral of 21 teenagers – aged between 13 and 17 – who died in a mysterious tragedy at the Enyobeni nightclub in Scenery Park, East London.
The teenagers were all under the legal drinking age of 18 in South Africa.
The sombre funeral was attended by thousands of grieving family and community members, Cabinet ministers, provincial MECs and the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.
“We have seen the pictures and videos on social media of young men and women in Enyobeni tavern on the night of 26th of June 2022,” said Ramaphosa.
“Children should not have been allowed inside that place, a place of adults. They should not have been served alcohol. What was happening was illegal.”
He said there are liquor establishments in East London and across the country that are putting profits before the lives of the South African children.
“This is not the first time there has been a tragedy in a place where young people gathered to celebrate,” said Ramaphosa.
“Before this tragedy there was the Osi’s tavern in Khayelitsha in 2015, where eight young women died. There was the Throb nightclub disaster in Durban in 2000, where 13 children died and 100 were injured.”
“What is common to all of these is that they were selling and serving alcohol to under-age patrons, in violation of the law.”
Ramaphosa commended the Buffalo City Metro Municipality for cracking down on liquor establishments that are breaking the law.
He said this must be replicated in every district in the country.
“We commend the multisectoral team involving our Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Children, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for taking keen interest in being part of this effort. We also thank the municipality, local fire department, disaster management, building planning and the environment, as well as law-enforcement for being part of this effort,” said Ramaphosa.
“I want to commend the Eastern Cape Liquor Board, working with the Department of Social Development for continuing to conduct inspections and monitoring compliance of shebeens and taverns in the metro.”
Meanwhile, it’s still not known what caused the deaths of the 21 teenagers, whose bodies were found in the Enyobeni tavern.
Pathologists are studying the cause of death from blood samples.
A stampede has been ruled out because the victims’ bodies did not show serious injuries, said police.
Below are the names of the deceased|
- Lithemba Velapi was looking forward to studying Tourism Management at Buffalo City College. He was 20 years old.
- Kungentando Nzima was in Grade 12 at Alphandale Senior Secondary School and loved mathematics.
- Yesterday Lilitha Methuko would have celebrated her 17th birthday, and she told her mother she was planning to buy two cakes to celebrate.
- Lungile Bekiso from Scenery Park would have turned 17 in November and liked playing soccer with his friends.
- Ovayo Mateyise attended Lumko High School where he loved soccer and watching rugby on tv. Yesterday would have been his 15th birthday.
- Inamandla Wexu was a brilliant learner. When his family asked him how his recent exams had gone, he said: “You know I never fail.”
- Oyena Ngoloyi was buried by her family in Middledrift yesterday. She was popular at school.
One of her friends wrote on her Facebook page: “Lala ngoxolo mntase. Greet those in the house who have left us, and please be our star when we go out at night.” - Sikelela Tshemese was 15 years old. He was quiet and respectful and helpful around the home.
- Simele Bolsiki was known in the community for always looking neat and tidy and for working hard at Qaqamba Senior Secondary School.
- Azizipho Zilindile’s siblings say they will miss how he was always patient with them and that he loved children. One of his teachers has described him as a gentle spirit.
- Esinako Sanarana was 17 years old and wanted to become a lawyer someday.
- Sinothando Mgangala liked hanging out with his friends at Mthiza High School.
- Bhongolethu Ncandana was in Grade 12 from West Bank High School. She wanted to be a policewoman .
- Nathi Ngqoza had dreams of becoming an actress and to compete on Idols. She was 17 years old.
- Aluncedo Monelo was 17 years old. He was a talented artist who drew portraits of family members and of people in the community.
- Inathi Nkani was 18 years old and the last born of her mother. She is described as kind and a big dreamer.
- Mbulelo Rangile was 18 years old. He will be laid to rest this weekend. He was a smart dresser and much loved by his family.
- Simamnkele Sobethwa was popular with her family and friends at Kusile Comprehensive School who held a memorial service for her. She was 17 years old.
- Asamnkele Thukuthe was a learner at Mzokhanyo Senior Secondary School.
- Sandanathi Mahlakahlaka was in Grade 9 and 15 years old. At the school memorial service her classmates described her as a beautiful flower with a lovely smile.
- Thembinkosi Silwane attended Zwelemfundo Primary School. He was just 13 years old. His last words to his mother before going out that night were “I’m coming back, Mama.”
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