Questions about fatal teen party

AN entire community is still reeling in shock from the tragic events in Zwide at the weekend, when a taxi ploughed into a crowd of partying teenagers, killing three and injuring many more.

The Herald has been reporting on the deadly hit-and-run and its effects on the families of those involved. Our reporters interviewing relatives and friends have been finding devastation and grief.

However, we have many more questions that need answering.

Such as, how can a street party of this size not be policed, if not at least monitored, in some way?

If this is a regular event – and there are suggestions that “pens down” street parties are common at the end of the school term – then why is there no infrastructure to accompany them?

There seems to be a disconnect in how we view and treat parties in the suburbs and townships.

Certainly, a party of 1 000 youngsters in a suburb like Newton Park or Sunridge Park, for example, would have attracted the attention of the authorities.

Neighbours would be quick to complain about the noise pollution of loud music, the litter of empty bottles, the lack of suitable toilet facilities and probably much more. They would also question why so many teenagers who appeared to be under the age of 18 were drinking openly in the streets.

They surely would pick up the phone to the municipality or police to ask them to intervene.

How can it be, then, that the sight of such a large group of youngsters enjoying the start of the school holidays in Zwide is not scrutinised with equal attention?

Could it be perhaps that the neighbours have no faith that the authorities will step in?

After all, police officers are often soft targets in our townships.

Why, though, is there no safe space for the youth of Zwide to gather and party?

To hold a street party on a winter’s night is no one’s first choice.

This chaos and grief spring allegedly from the action of one man: the driver.

His name and photograph have been released and yet he is nowhere to be found.

When found, the law must take its course.