Ramaphosa: Blame must be shared for Enyobeni tragedy
President Cyril Ramaphosa says there is blame to be shared for the deaths of 21 youngsters in the Enyobeni tavern tragedy.
Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at the mass funeral of the victims in East London on Wednesday.
"From national government, there is blame on us. The provincial government, local government, the police, taverners, and tavern owners.
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"Blame must be laid at the feet of those who are making money off the dreams and lives of the young people of South Africa by breaking the law and selling alcohol to underage children."
Over a week ago, the tavern was packed with mostly underage children who joined an end-of-exams party.
It's thought the crowd was exposed to a toxic chemical.
Ramaphosa says what happened at the tavern was outside of the law.
"We have seen the pictures and videos on social media of young men and women in Enyobeni tavern on the night of 26th of June. Children should not have been allowed inside that place, a place of adults."
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"They should not have been served alcohol. And we must say we are now going to draw the line. We are now going to say if you are a tavern and you sell alcohol to underage children, that tavern must be closed and be closed permanently. Never to operate again."