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Police Minister Bheki Cele has again expressed his disdain for the liquor, this time saying it was the center of death for KwaZulu-Natal teenager Andile “Bobo” Mbuthu.
“There are people who have been arrested since the case is still in court. The crime scene is again an alcohol space,” he said Tuesday.
He said resources should be focused on fighting Covid-19, “but here we are again dealing with alcohol.”
Cele was speaking at Mbuthu’s home in Hambanathi, Tongaat, where family and community members gathered to offer support to the family and take a look at the minister.
He used the platform to criticize alcohol and how it was critical to the teenager’s death.
Mbuthu’s remains were found Friday, inside a brick-filled bag that was dumped into the Wewe River on the outskirts of Tongaat, north of Durban.
The crime is alleged to have taken place at the well-known Magagula Lounge in Hambanathi and was due to allegations of alcohol theft.
READ | “It was always bubbly” – KZN family mourns murdered teenager Andile ‘Bobo’ Mbuthu
Seven people were arrested over the weekend, and police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said detectives were investigating the case.
Mlungisi Thabathe, 28, Andile Nhleko, 27, Mncedisi Mzobe, 27, Siyanda Msweli, 26, Lindani Ndlovu, 22, Malusi Mthembu, 27, are the six who appeared on Monday in the Verulam Magistrates Court in relation to the matter .
‘Nothing good comes from alcohol’
Cele said that no one had succeeded in drinking liquor.
“Nothing good comes from alcohol. As I am standing here, I have never seen a person who has achieved it in life because alcohol made them what they are. All I have seen are scenes like this [Mbuthu’s death]”
He said he expected the tavern where Mbethu was allegedly killed to stay out of bounds, this after the community burned it down.
“We will discuss the alcohol issue, but for now, that tavern is a crime scene and I hope no one gives it another chance. [to open or be attacked].
“We have a problem with the liquor outlets and the liquor itself.”
Speaking about their conversations with Mbethu’s family, he said they were not happy with the way the police had handled the matter.
“The family is on the downside, but they think the police at the station level could have done better. We will take the matter forward and hope that each issue will be resolved at the end of the day.”
ALSO READ | Burned-out KZN tavern near where human remains were found
Vincent Shandu, a member of the Community Watch Forum, said they wanted a complete overhaul of the station.
“We have a situation where our police officers are not working there. We have about five or six cases where people died and nothing happened.”
He said that the community’s frustration was very high.
“We have reached a point where we are saying no, no more. We don’t want this police station. We want them all, from top to bottom, we want new officers.”
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