Media Release
20 November 2025
Eastern Cape Liquor Board admonishes learners against contemplated "Pens Down Parties" in the Province
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) sends a stern warning to learners in
the Eastern Cape following reports of the contemplated "pens down parties”
across the province in preparation for the end of the year examinations.
These gatherings are often characterised by excessive alcohol
consumption and inherently pose serious risks to learners’ well-being and safety.
As end-of-the-year examinations are drawing closer to an end,
the ECLB has received numerous reports of planned parties in
different parts/areas of the province. The tip-offs on planned
pens down parties have been received through the ECLB’s
learner ambassadors from different municipalities. Majority
of these pens down parties are being planned for 21st and
22nd of November, which is the period when examinations will be coming to an end.
All the received tip-offs have promptly been referred to the
law enforcement so they can take an urgent action to stop them.
Parents are encouraged to closely monitor their children's activities
/movements and report any suspicious gatherings.
The ECLB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Makala, is sending a
stern warning to learners who are contemplating pens down
parties and says: "I wish to unequivocally send a strong warning
to all learners who are planning pens down parties and would like
to assure them that, working with various law enforcement agencies,
we will be closely monitoring them. Learners must also be advised that
law enforcement officers and ECLB liquor inspectors will be all out across
the province to ensure that these parties are stopped and prevented from
being hosted and drastic action will be taken against young learners who
host these parties."
The CEO further stressed, “As the Province we cannot afford the repeat of
the 2022 devastating incident of Enyobeni Tavern in which we regrettably
lost twenty-one of our young people due to a pens down party.
We further urge parents and members of the community to be extremely
vigilant during this period to ensure that contemplated pens down parties
are prevented and our young people are encouraged to identify other
constructive ways of celebrating end of the year examinations.”
Added the CEO, “We also urge liquor traders in the province to refrain
from hosting these parties in their premises and where we find a liquor
trader violating this condition we will not hesitate to take a drastic action,
including immediate cancellation of their liquor licences.”
ECLB invites all parents and members of the community to be proactive
and closely monitor young people and ensure that any suspicion,
unsupervised gatherings are stopped with immediate effect.
Members of the community can report the pens down parties to
nearest law enforcement agency or call 10111. They can also report
to ECLB via Toll-Free: 080 000 0420 or WhatsApp: 076 403 6223.
For media inquiries: Mgwebi Msiya 060 501 6418/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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