The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) says the recent report of pupils drinking alcohol during a sporting event this past weekend has been an immense shock.
On Saturday the 11th Hoërskool Grens had a Sporting festival attended by several schools where alcohol was allegedly freely and openly consumed.
The spokesperson for the ECLB Pumlani Fani described the incident as extremely hard to fathom.
"Underage drinking continues to engulf our society in more than one way, and this incident is a manifestation of a deep-seated societal problem that calls for the involvement of everyone in society," he said.
The weekend's incident raised questions as to how learners accessed the alcohol on the sporting day and the persons that sold it to them.
The CEO of the ECLB Dr Nombuyiselo Makala extended a stern warning to all liquor traders to refrain from selling alcohol to underage people and expressed equal concern about the excessive pocket money parents give to their children to encourage them to purchase alcohol.
The issue did not go unnoticed by High Schools in the area who issued a joint statement to parents on Monday.
In the letter, signed by Principals at Cambridge High School, Hudson Park, Beaconhurst, Stirling, Claredon Girls High, Selborne, Port Rex Technical, Baysville Special Secondary School and Grens, parents are being urged to become more aware of where their children are, who their friends are, where they are staying over and to know when sports derby's end to expect their children home at reasonable times.
"We as collective Principals and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have noticed the disquieting trend amongst our youth to gather in large numbers to socialise after weekend sports derby days. These gatherings occur mostly along Devereux Avenue and may include boys and girls as young as 12 years of age." read the joint statement
It further stated how SAPS informed them that alcohol was always involved, resulting in inappropriate public displays of intimacy.
The Principals said they could only take responsibility for the kids when on their premises.
In June last year, East London made international headlines when 21 teenagers died at the Enyobeni Tavern.
The problem around underage drinking was highlighted in this tragedy.
The exact cause of death of the victims is still not clear and the tavern has since been closed while the owners have been arrested and charged with selling alcohol to underage drinkers.
