The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has said that the licence of the East London tavern owner where 21 youngsters died on Saturday night could be revoked and criminal charges pressed for selling liquor to underage patrons.
The board has condemned the sale of alcohol to youngsters at Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park.
It said claims that the victims were underage were shocking.
Initially, the death toll was estimated at 22. However, police later clarified that it stood at 21 by Sunday afternoon.
“As the board, we have always been forthright in our condemnation and fight against the sale of alcohol to the underage,” said board CEO Dr Nombuyiselo Makala.
“We have also consistently taken every necessary step against any liquor outlet that is found to have sold alcohol to the underage.”
East London tavern owner's licence may be revoked — liquor board
Image: BONGANI FUZILE
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has said that the licence of the East London tavern owner where 21 youngsters died on Saturday night could be revoked and criminal charges pressed for selling liquor to underage patrons.
The board has condemned the sale of alcohol to youngsters at Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park.
It said claims that the victims were underage were shocking.
Initially, the death toll was estimated at 22. However, police later clarified that it stood at 21 by Sunday afternoon.
“As the board, we have always been forthright in our condemnation and fight against the sale of alcohol to the underage,” said board CEO Dr Nombuyiselo Makala.
“We have also consistently taken every necessary step against any liquor outlet that is found to have sold alcohol to the underage.”
Parents must also take accountability, says Cele after tavern deaths of 20 youngsters in East London
The board said necessary steps, including revoking liquor licence and laying criminal charges, would be taken against the licence holder “for the blatant contravention of the Eastern Cape Liquor Act that clearly stipulates that no alcohol shall be sold to persons under the age of 18” .
“We continue to urge communities to report to the ECLB or SAPS any suspicious practices by the liquor outlets within their proximity. To this effect, we have established a Toll — Free number (080 000 0420) and a WhatsApp number (076 403 6223) to enable communities to report cases of non-compliance including the sale of alcohol to the underage people,” said Makala.
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