Question NW129 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
22 September 2023 - NW129
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Whether, in light of the fact that 21 youths died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park on 26 June 2022 and two more teens died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas, she will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with a detailed overview of her department’s collaboration with the SA Police Service to address (a) underage drinking and (b) clamping down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date?
Reply:
The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.
The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.