Question NW307 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
22 September 2023 - NW307
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Given that 21 young persons died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park in June 2022 and two more teenagers died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas Day, what are the relevant details of how her department collaborated with the Department of Police to address underage drinking and clamp down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth?
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.