Cape Town - The father of 15-year-old Athi Zokufa, one of eight young women who died in a stampede at Osi’s, a Khayelitsha tavern, on Sunday, said in spite of reports that she had been celebrating her birthday at the venue, he had had no idea she was even there.
“I don’t understand how these tavern owners can allow children that young in and sell alcohol to them. Surely many of them are parents too and know what it is like,” Zamikhaya Zokufa said.
The names of six of the young women who died are Ongeziwe Xekethwane, Abulele Nkepu, Vuyolwethu Mbono, Asisipho Dana, Ongezwa Ndaba and Zimkhitha Malinge. One body has yet to be identified.
A memorial service for all eight victims will take place on Sunday at the Chris Hani High School hall in Makhaza. Seven funerals are expected to be held next Saturday.
Bronwynne Jooste, spokeswoman for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Alan Winde, said the department had noted with concern that while selling alcohol to minors is a criminal offence, minors were present at the time of the incident. Even more concerning was that some had died.
She said there were 134 legal and 1 266 illegal taverns in Khayelitsha, but just eight inspectors from the Western Cape Liquor Authority to regulate the entire province.
“The authority conducts regular operations with City of Cape Town officials and the SAPS,” she said, adding that 4 000 inspections were planned for the Western Cape during this financial year.
Jooste stressed that it was the responsibility of tavern owners to ensure they adhered to the regulations related to owning and operating an establishment of this nature.
The authorities have temporarily shut down Osi’s tavern, where the stampede occurred, pending police and liquor board reports.
Jooste said the Liquor Authority would then take appropriate action, which could include sanctions such as revoking the licence, if warranted.
The police have opened inquest dockets into the deaths of six of the women, and a case of culpable homicide into the deaths of two women who died en route to the Khayelitsha District Hospital after the incident.
Weekend Argus