President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the selling of alcohol to underage persons, saying the malpractice ended the dreams and futures of the country’s youth.
Ramaphosa said this on Wednesday when he delivered his eulogy at the mass funeral service for 21 teenagers who lost their lives at a tavern in the South African port city of East London two weeks ago.
He told mourners that his government wanted to send a strong message to all establishments that break the law and cause unnecessary loss of lives as witnessed at Enyobeni Tavern.
“Blame must be laid at the feet of those who are making money off the dreams and lives of the young people of South Africa by breaking the law and selling them alcohol,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “Any liquor outlet that sells alcohol to underage children must be permanently closed.”
He criticized the tavern owner, saying children “should not have been allowed inside that place – a place meant for adults.”
“And they should not have been served alcohol,” he said.
He called on communities to join their local community policing fora and to work with law enforcement agencies by reporting such violations of the law.
The authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the deaths of the young people, the majority of whose ages ranged from 13 to 19 years.
NM/jn/APA