Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with mourners at the Enyobeni tavern funeral – Photo: Twitter / PresidencyZA
Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with mourners at the Enyobeni tavern funeral – Photo: Twitter / PresidencyZA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that the legal drinking age in South Africa ‘could rise to 21’, in the wake of the devastating Enyobeni tavern tragedy.
Enyobeni tavern disaster sparks calls for higher legal drinking age
In total, 21 youngsters lost the life when visiting the venue 10 days ago. Every single victim was a minor, and had no right to be in a tavern. Alas, they were supplied with liquor, and many were allowed to enter the crowded establishment.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, almost two-dozen revellers collapsed to the floor, in as-yet unexplained circumstances. The images that emerged from the tavern – ranging from photos of the victims to the shared grief of an East London community – have scarred Mzansi.
Ramaphosa mulling his options
Ramaphosa believes the time for a harsh and thorough response has come. Speaking with raw emotion on Wednesday afternoon, he told mourners at a mass funeral service for the Enyobeni victims that there would be ‘instant closures’ for taverns selling liquor to underage patrons.
Furthermore, the president identified the current legal drinking age as a thorny topic of debate. Ramaphosa revealed he had been inundated with requests to increase this limit from 18 years old, to 21 years old. These complainants might just get their way…
Will the legal drinking age increase in South Africa?
The ANC leader confirmed that his government would seek to debate the legal drinking age, with a view of adding three years onto the threshold. He believes this will go someway towards combating underage alcohol consumption, particularly in taverns…
“I have been receiving messages from people saying, Mr. President, maybe the legal age of drinking alcohol should be lifted to 21. I believe we now need a national debate on this matter”
Cyril Ramaphosa
#EnyobeniTavern Just in: President Ramaphosa proposes that the legal age for alcohol use must be extended from 18 to 21 years to avoid alcohol abuse by minors in taverns.
— Sifiso Sibeko (@Mjita_ofundile) July 6, 2022
