THE ENYOBENI Tavern Tragedy that took the lives of 21 youngsters aged between 13 and 20 has been spotlighted in a detailed report by the Human Rights Commission.
The report sheds light on the events surrounding the 2022 disaster, where young people were celebrating their exam success.
The South African Human Rights Commission has unveiled findings highlighting the Enyobeni incident as a stark violation of several legal standards.
These include Section 28 of the South African Constitution and global agreements including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
An 86-page document points out that the Eastern Cape Liquor Board failed to shield the community's vulnerable from the dangers of illegal alcohol sales and its related issues.
The report identifies major problems such as the Eastern Cape Liquor Board and the South African Police Service not enforcing liquor laws properly, ignoring community grievances, and lacking proper supervision by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
"Furthermore, national departments such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Social Development neglected to prioritise crucial legislative measures aimed at curbing alcohol abuse.
The Enyobeni tragedy further underscores violations of various legal frameworks, including Section 28 of the South African Constitution and international treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children's rights to protection from the harmful effects of alcohol were directly compromised, reflecting broader failures in regulatory compliance and enforcement," the report stated.
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On 26 June 2022, it was reported that 21 young people died at Enyobeni Tavern located in Scenery Park, East London.
It was alleged that on Saturday, 25 June 2022, the youth had visited Enyobeni Tavern as part of a customary "pens down" celebration to mark the end of the school exams.
The tragedy subsequently saw the double arrest of the owners of the tavern Vuyokazi and Siyakhangela Ndevu who were fined R5 000 each or alternatively 100 days imprisonment.
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