The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) sends has sent a stern warning to learners in the Eastern Cape following reports of the contemplated “Pens down parties” across the province in preparation for the end-of-year examinations.
Spokesperson for Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) Mgwebi Msiya said these gatherings are often characterised by excessive alcohol consumption and inherently pose serious risks to learners’ well-being and safety.
He said that as end-of-year examinations are nearing completion, the ECLB has received numerous reports of planned parties in different parts/areas of the province.
“The tip-offs on planned pens down parties have been received through the ECLB’s learner ambassadors from different municipalities.
“All received tip-offs have promptly been referred to law enforcement so they can take urgent action to stop them. Parents are encouraged to closely monitor their children’s activities and movements and report any suspicious gatherings,” he said.
Msiya added that the ECLB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nombuyiselo Makala, has sent a stern warning to learners who are contemplating pens down parties.
“I wish to unequivocally send a strong warning to all learners who are planning pens down parties. Working with various law enforcement agencies, we will be closely monitoring them.
“Learners must also be advised that law enforcement officers and ECLB liquor inspectors will be deployed across the province to ensure that these parties are stopped and prevented from being hosted, and drastic action will be taken against young learners who host these parties,” said Makala.
She added that as a province, they cannot afford a repeat of the devastating 2022 incident at Enyobeni Tavern in which they regrettably lost 21 young people due to a pens down party.
“We further urge parents and members of the community to be extremely vigilant during this period to ensure that contemplated pens down parties are prevented and our young people are encouraged to identify other constructive ways of celebrating end-of-year examinations.
“We also urge liquor traders in the province to refrain from hosting these parties on their premises, and where we find a liquor trader violating this condition, we will not hesitate to take drastic action, including immediate cancellation of their liquor licences.”
The ECLB invites all parents and members of the community to be proactive and closely monitor young people and ensure that any suspicious, unsupervised gatherings are stopped immediately.
Members of the community can report pens down parties to the nearest law enforcement agency or call 10111.
They can also report to the ECLB via Toll-Free 0800 000 420 or WhatsApp 076 403 6223.
