Underage drinking is common among teenagers in South Africa, especially in rural villages where most parents are not strict with their children. Parent and club owners’ negligence has resulted in teenagers being the most customers in drinking spots. In rural areas, teens have become unruly and disobedient due to drinking. 

The Enyobeni tragedy a lesson for all

Enyobeni tragedy is an incident where more than 21 teenagers were found dead at a tavern in South Africa, Eastern Cape. The 21 teenagers were engaged in what is called pens down when the tragedy occurred. In the beginning, the cause of the death became unknown until top investigators and forensics were assigned to the case. It became a tragic and devasting incident as it had never happened in South Africa. Most of the deceased were underage to be at taverns sipping alcohol. The tragedy has exposed more of what’s happening in South Africa’s negligence and irresponsibility of tavern owners. It was recently revealed that the cause of the death among the 21 teenagers was Methanol. 

Caution to tavern and club owners

Following the death of the 21 teens in the Eastern Cape, the owner and his employers have been arrested. This should be an eye-opener for many tavern owners across South Africa. The law does not allow alcohol to be sold to someone under 18 years old; they are considered minors. This is stipulated in the Liquor Act of 2003. Selling alcohol to minors could lead to prosecution or a fine involving your liquor trade license being revoked. At Enyobeni tavern, most of the children were between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.

Ways to prevent the act of drinking among the Underage.

• The police should patrol at night, ensure that tavern owners adhere to the regulations of not selling alcohol to minors. 
• Communities should also play a role in curbing underage drinking because it is one of the sources of teenage pregnancy in the country.

Conclusions

The Enyobeni tragedy should become a lesson for many tavern and club owners in South Africa. What happened in Enyobeni, Eastern Cape was one of the first incidents in South Africa for underage drinking teens. The police should patrol at night, ensure that tavern owners adhere to the regulations of not selling alcohol to minors. Communities should also play a role in curbing underage drinking because it is one of the sources of teenage pregnancy in the country.