DESPITE the tragedy at the Enyobeni tavern, infamous pens down drinking parties have continued a year after the incident.
On 26 June 2022, 21 young people did not make it home after attending a party at Enyobeni Tavern in East London, Eastern Cape.
Families who lost loved ones at the tavern are still seeking answers on what caused their children's death. These parents received conflicting reports that traces of methanol had been detected in their kids' bodies. They also heard the victims suffocated to death.
On Saturday, 24 June, five kids were rushed to hospital in East London due to incidents related to excessive drinking at a pens down party.
The Buffalo City municipal spokesman, Samkelo Ngwenya, said they were extremely disappointed in the kids' parents.
"The Metro has issued several warnings to parents to be vigilant, monitor their children, and not allow them to attend drinking parties in the name of schooling activities.
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"The Metro law enforcement, disaster management and the police responded to such parties on Saturday 24 June, as hundreds of teenagers descended to the beachfront. Fifteen children were escorted home as part of the prevention of missing persons. Five children were taken to the hospital due to incidents related to excessive drinking."
"Following the Enyobeni tragedy, it's important for parents to take responsibility for their children’s actions and whereabouts and make it their business to monitor their kids' movements. The safety and security cluster condemns any actions by school children to use alcohol as a celebratory norm for themes like school closures, school exams and school re-openings," said Ngwenya.
Enyobeni Tavern owner siyakhangela Ndevu and Siyakhangela Ndevu have been charged with selling or supplying intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 years, and responsibility for conniving with and permitting employees and agents to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 years. They have pleaded not guilty to both charges. Another leg of the case which relates to the death of 21 is still under investigation.
