Ramaphosa 'concerned' over 20 East London tavern deaths
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the deaths of more than 20 people at a local tavern in East London on Sunday.
Ramaphosa says he is worried that underaged people were allowed to gather at the fully-packed Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park.
Local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 17 teenagers who died at the tavern and others who died in the hospital.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Ramaphosa expects law enforcement to act where needed.
"While the president awaits more information on the incident, his thoughts are with the families who have lost children as well as families who are awaiting confirmation of how their children may have been affected.
"The president is, however, also concerned about the reported circumstances under which such young people were gathered at a venue which, on the face of it, should be off-limits to persons under the age of 18."
Police Minister Bheki Cele addressed the grieving community of Scenery Park and said they have deployed a special forensic unit from the head office in Pretoria to probe the incident.
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