Cape Town - Older men in flashy cars with money are a magnet for underage girls who frequent Cape Town’s taverns at the weekends, according to a 16-year-old at Pisto’s Tavern in Gugulethu.
A week ago, eight girls and women, aged between 15 and 23, died after a banister collapsed in a stampede in a Khayelitsha tavern after gunshots were reportedly fired.
But it’s been business as usual for taverns in the area this week. The barman at Maduna’s Tavern in Makhaya says patrons usually start streaming in between midnight and 1am.
On Friday a Weekend Argus team went to taverns in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Delft and found them frequented by scores of young people.
Bright lights, loud music and drinks were flowing easily, enjoyed by children as young as 16.
Dressed in tights and crop tops, their skimpy attire suggested that most were oblivious to the cold weather
.
There were two bouncers, a man and a woman, at the entrance to one of the taverns. Their job was to search patrons, ostensibly to ensure that they’re not entering with liquor. They did not ask to see anyone’s ID or driver’s license.
As we entered the tavern, we were patted down. When we asked why we were being searched, the female guard said: “for illegal weapons and alcohol”.
There are fewer formalities at the Backstage Tavern in NY6, where minors fill the venue, dancing and drinking.
One 16-year-old girl, whose identity is known to Weekend Argus, said she spends most of her weekends at taverns frequented by older men.
She prefers hanging out at taverns, she said, because older men tend to spend more money and they enjoy the company of young women. The girl said she would tell her family she was going to visit friends for sleepovers, but instead headed to taverns.
“My friends and I come here almost every weekend because its fun. We don’t even need to spend money because there are always old men to spoil us because they want to spend time with us and show us off to their friends.
“The hotter you are the more money men spend and the more fun you get to have.
“Sometimes the men are married but our relationships with them are not serious because it is just about the money and having fun on weekends,” she says.
* Ongeziwe Xekethwane, Abulele Nkepu, Vuyolwethu Mbono, Asisipho Dana, Ongezwa Ndaba, Zimkhitha Malinge and Athi Zokufa died at Osi’s Place Tavern in Makhaza last Sunday. One of the dead women has not yet been identified. A memorial service for the women will be held on Sunday at Chris Hani High School hall while funerals will be held next week.
Weekend Argus