Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the twenty one (21) youths who were found dead inside a local tavern in the township of Scenery Park in East London, in the early hours of Sunday, 26 June.
Premier Mabuyane, along with Eastern Cape Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport, Safety & Liaison, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, and South African Police Service (SAPS) Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Nomthetheleli Mene visited the scene earlier today.
Mabuyane has called for a thorough investigation into the events that led to the tragedy. He also called for greater parental and community involvement and vigilance in monitoring not only taverns and nightclubs operating within communities, but also in monitoring the maintenance of general law and order in their communities.
“We call on parents and legal guardians not to abdicate their responsibility to their children or minor children entrusted in their care. As a parent myself, I am pained by this tragedy and cannot imagine losing a child in this manner. We grieve with parents and families at this hour and ask for your patience in getting to the facts around this tragic event. We are saddened by the loss of young lives, future leaders of our country, future breadwinners for their families, and for all the investments made by their families in them that now have evaporated in an instant,” he said.
The SAPS has confirmed the twenty one (21) youths who lost their lives were aged between 14 and 20. Eight (8) of the deceased are females, while thirteen (13) are confirmed to be males.
Inquest dockets have been registered for further investigation.
The Police have called on members of the public with information that can shed light on the incident to contact the Scenery Park Police Station or call the Crime Stop number 086 00 10111.
