Five teenagers were taken to hospital on Saturday after “over-drinking” at a pens down party at the East London beachfront which drew a crowd of more than 700 young people.
Despite warnings from authorities and anti-pens down campaigns by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board, the parties have become popular among schoolchildren.
Saturday’s festivities started at Eastern Beach and by early evening moved to the newly opened Baby Lee Jegels Crescent Park, where the Daily Dispatch witnessed underage teenagers openly consuming alcohol.
Cans and bottles of cider, beer, gin, vodka and whisky were scattered all over the park in the evening, with no law enforcement officials in sight.
The Dispatch saw two private security guards at the park, but they did not stop the teenagers drinking.
When the Dispatch left at 10pm, young people were still drinking and partying.
Some were reportedly found passed out at the beachfront on Sunday.
Buffalo City metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the security cluster — comprising traffic services, fire, disaster management and police in partnership with the Eastern Cape Liquor Board — had responded to chaotic scenes at the beachfront and “had their hands full”.
Fifteen children were escorted home as part of prevention of missing people, Ngwenya said, while “one parent was assisted to locate and rescue her child at the beachfront”.
Roadblocks were set up along the beachfront at Fleet Street, Esplanade and Bowls Road, where 15 drunk drivers were arrested.
Ngwenya said they were disappointed by the attitude of some parents as they “fail to control their children who drink excessively in the name of school exams pens down”.
“The metro has issued several warnings to parents to be vigilant, to monitor their children and not allow them to attend drinking parties and celebrations.”
“After last year’s Enyobeni tragedy, it is important for parents to take responsibility for their children’s actions and whereabouts and make it their business to monitor their movements.
“Government interventions alone cannot be the only solution to this problem.
“However, despite all the warnings, the safety and security cluster had to respond to parties at the East London beachfront, Amalinda and Dimbaza on Saturday night,” Ngwenya said.
“Vodka, brandy and ciders were consumed and warnings were issued to lawbreakers to vacate.”
He said on Friday night a joint operation against pens down parties was conducted and taverns were visited in Nompumelelo township, Ducats, Abbotsford and Beacon Bay.
The Court Crescent was designed to be a space where everyone can enjoy their time. It seems it doesn’t serve its purpose
— Quigney community patrol chair Anela Mkangelwa
Quigney community patrol chair Anela Mkangelwa expressed his disappointment about the sight of empty alcohol bottles and teenagers passed out near the beachfront.
“The Court Crescent was designed to be a space where everyone can enjoy their time.
“It seems it doesn’t serve its purpose,” Mkangelwa said.
“We did not see any security officials and law enforcement was not available to make sure the recreational park served its purpose.”
Ward councillor Funeka Wolose said she was not aware of underage drinking at the recently opened recreational park.
However, she called on parents to monitor their children.
Eastern Cape Liquor Board spokesperson Dr Mgwebi Msiya said: “We are disappointed. This after efforts of warning the community on Friday when we were tipped about planned pens down parties.
“We were informed about five places in the Eastern Cape where teenagers were planning pens down parties, including Mthatha, Mdantsane and Makhanda.
“We referred all those places to police and our liquor inspectors.”
He said they were also disappointed that the recreational park had been turned into a drinking spot.
“We condemn this practice of teenagers requesting those older than 18 to buy [alcohol] for them.
“We also condemn those who buy alcohol for the underaged.
“We are urging parents, especially at this time of year, to be vigilant and check on their children,” Msiya said.
Ngwenya said: “We commend tavern, clubs, shebeens and bottle store owners who took responsibility to comply with their licence conditions and made sure no underage children were allowed to access their premises and buy alcohol.”
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