We need to hold those in power accountable

Dear DM168 readers,

On Sunday morning, as the grim news started to spread of 21 teenagers who died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London, people in the Eastern Cape community and the country were equal parts horrified and outraged. How could this happen? What was the cause of their deaths? Why were children allowed into a tavern? And why was alcohol freely available to those who are under age?

The sad reality of our country at this point in time is that there are probably hundreds of taverns that allow children on to their premises and turn a blind eye to underage drinking. In this week’s DM168, we bring you eyewitness accounts from some of the survivors who watched their friends die and we remember some of the victims who were failed not only by the authorities who allowed the tavern to operate in an unlawful manner, but also by all South Africans who don’t hold all public servants to account.

Yes, you and I, and everyone else who has a voice – through the vote, local community groups, civil society movements and even writing to the President – must hold those in power accountable. We need to stop letting them off the hook and turning a blind eye to those who have multiple allegations of fraud, mismanagement of finances and theft swirling around them.

The DM168 lead story about where the State Capture fat cats are should serve as a reminder that, although amnesty is being discussed as a way to ensure that the 200odd people recommended for prosecution don’t all use Stalingrad strategies to delay their prosecutions for years on end, we must not forget their names and which political parties they are associated with.

And we shouldn’t forget them for this reason: the money that was spent on the mansions, compounds, expensive cars and overseas trips could have been used to build a recreational centre in East London where kids could have been spending their free time playing tennis or learning how to code instead of going to the only source of entertainment in the community – a tavern, which had as little regard for their wellbeing as the politicians who are routinely voted into power.

By buying DM168 you are helping to ensure that we can continue to do our best to hold those in power accountable. Please send your thoughts on all our stories to heather@dailymaverick.co.za

Just a quick reminder that your old clothes and blankets could keep those in need warm this winter, so please have a look through your wardrobes and donate whatever you can to the many nonprofits that are making a difference in disadvantaged communities.

Yours in defence of truth, Sukasha