By Oluwaseun Sonde
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has reacted to the death of twenty two teenagers at a tavern in Scenery Park, East London, in the early hours of today, Sunday, 26 June 2022.
In a statement released by the Presidency after unfortunate incident, as the President expressed his condolences and concern, while await more information about the incident.
Ramaphosa's thoughts are with the families who have lost children as well as families who are awaiting confirmation of how their children may have been affected.
The President is, however, also concerned about the reported circumstances under which such young people were gathered at a venue which, on the face of it, should be off limits to persons under the age of 18.
He expected the law to take its course following investigations into the tragedy.
Ramaphosa added, “This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month, a time during which we celebrate young people, advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation.” According the South African Police who confirmed the incident told AFP that they are still investigating over the circumstances surrounding this incident.
According to provincial police spokesman, “We got a report about 17 (people) that died in a local tavern in Scenery Park which is based in East London. The victims were aged between 18 and 20 years".
The Eastern Cape provincial community and safety department official Unathi Binqose, speaking from the scene, ruled out a stampede as cause of death.
“It’s difficult to believe it’s a stampede as there are no visible open wounds to those dead,” Binqose told AFP by telephone.
A regional local newspaper, DispatchLive, reported “bodies are lying strewn across tables, chairs and on the floor; with no obvious signs of injury”.
Unverified pictures shared on social media showed bodies with no visible signs of injuries, strewn on the floor of the club.
Local television showed police officers trying to calm down a crowd of parents and onlookers gathered outside the club in the city, which lies on the Indian Ocean coast, nearly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) south of Johannesburg.
“Parents whose children did not sleep home are gathered here and they want to enter the tavern to look for their loved ones,” said Binqose.
He said he understood the patrons were students “celebrating pens down, a party held after writing (high school) exams”.
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