Ngqamakhwe police in the Eastern Cape are investigating the alleged supply of alcohol to minors after a viral video circulated showing children drinking on Christmas Day.

The footage, which may violate the Children’s Act, shows one child questioning why they should not be drinking, insisting it was Christmas. The disturbing clip has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children in the province.

The incident was traced to a household in the Khothane Administrative Area, Santini Location, involving five children aged between 8 and 12 years.

Police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana says a case has been registered for contravening the National Liquor Act, which prohibits supplying alcohol to minors.

“No arrests have been made at this stage, and the matter will be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions once the investigation is complete. The South African Police Service (SAPS) views this incident in an extremely serious light. The National Liquor Act exists to protect the well-being of children, and any person found to be facilitating underage drinking will face the full might of the law.”

Eastern Cape Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta condemned the incident, urging parents and caregivers to protect and nurture children rather than put them in harm’s way.

“This behaviour is not only unacceptable but also poses serious risks to the health and future of our youth. Our children are our future. We must ensure they grow up in safe, supportive environments, free from the dangers of alcohol and other harmful substances.”

The Department of Social Development (DSD) spokesperson Sandy Godlwana reminded families of their responsibility, particularly during the festive season, when alcohol and substance abuse tend to rise.

“It is our duty to protect our children and guide them toward brighter futures, free from the shadows of substance abuse. Those who allow or encourage such behaviour must be held accountable.”

As New Year’s Eve festivities are fast approaching, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is appealing to visitors to remain fire-wise, amid growing concern that fire-related incidents remain high during the festive season.

TMNP Fire Management says firefighting teams are already under pressure, with at least 14 fires reported in the past week alone. This is more than what was recorded at the same time last year, raising serious concern as hot, dry weather continues to fuel dangerous conditions.

SANParks Head of Communications and spokesperson, JP Louw, says these figures point to a growing fire danger linked to increased activity in and around the park.

“The public is reminded that no flares, fireworks, Chinese lanterns, or any form of open flames are permitted in or near the park. Signal Hill, which traditionally experiences very high visitor volumes on New Year’s Eve, remains a high-risk area for fire ignition.”

Louw appealed to visitors to be mindful of how they park, reminding them that blocked roads can delay emergency responses. The public is urged to report any signs of fire or unsafe behaviour immediately.

“Early reporting is critical to preventing small fires from escalating into major incidents and helping us protect lives, property, and the park’s natural heritage.”

The City of Cape Town says it intends to appeal the judgment handed down in the Western Cape High Court on Monday evening, 29 December 2025, which ordered the Metro to provide an alternative venue for the members of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) to proceed with its minstrel competitions and events.

The CTMCA initiated court proceedings against the City on 27 December 2025, after their booking request for the use of the Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone was turned down three months earlier, in September.

The City maintains that the initial booking in September was only provisional, and the authority withdrew its permission for use of the venue a few days later, as the CTMCA failed to submit the mandatory documentation required for the processing of an event permit application for their competitions, despite being informed of these requirements.

The City says it identified significant operational and safety concerns, including statutory venue risk-grading and event risk-grading limitations.

“Vygieskraal is graded to accommodate only low-risk events, while minstrel events are classified as medium-risk by SAPS. As such, the venue does not meet the minimum requirements of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act to host medium-risk graded events of this nature.”

It remains unclear why the CTMCA waited until 27 December to take the City to court, and not back in September, when their provisional booking for Vygieskraal was withdrawn.

While the Metro is in the process of applying for leave to appeal the court’s order, it will also identify other available venues for the CTMCA, but the only two medium-risk compliant venues, namely Athlone and DHL Stadiums, are not available on the dates requested by the Association.

The City says it acted lawfully throughout, as it has to ensure that all events hosted within Cape Town comply with applicable legislation and safety standards.

“It is also regrettable that the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association continues to perpetuate a false narrative that the City does not support minstrel events. This is simply untrue. The City has consistently demonstrated its support for these events by working constructively with compliant Minstrel groups that respect due process and comply with legislative and safety requirements.”

In a statement, the CTMCA hailed the court ruling as a victory for heritage.

“The court has ruled in favour of Mr. Richard Stemmet, vindicating our association and securing the future of our heritage. The judiciary has sent a clear message. The City of Cape Town is now compelled to fulfil its constitutional duty. They are required to assist the CTMCA and ensure compliance, shifting the focus away from private developers and back to the people of this city. This is a win for every citizen who believes that our traditions are not for sale.”

Stemmet has been at the helm of the CTMCA for many years, with allegations of misuse of lotto funding, poor planning and court cases against the City following him and the Association over the years.

Meanwhile, the City has stressed that the judgement and order issued Monday have no bearing on Tweede Nuwe Jaar, as the matter before the court related solely to the CTMCA’s internal competitions and the provision of suitable venues to hold such competitions.

Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Cape Town Street Parade) is managed by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), which is a separate organisation.

Tweede Nuwe Jaar is taking place on 5 January 2025, with troupes marching on the fan walk to the DHL Stadium in Green Point.

The City provides funding to the following Minstrel events, which represents the City’s single largest investment in events overall:

The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association has won an urgent court bid against the City of Cape Town in connection with a minstrel parade.  

This association took the City to court after it withdrew approval for the use of Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone for its minstrel competition. 

The matter was heard in court on Monday, where the Western Cape High Court ruled late that night that the  City must provide a suitable alternative venue to allow troupes to participate.  

The ruling comes amid growing public scrutiny over logistical changes to the annual minstrel celebrations, such as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar.  

READ MORE: Tweede Nuwe Jaar: Klopse carnival set to move to Green Point on 5 January 2026 – Smile 90.4FM

@brettherronsa #greenscreen What role did the DA City of Cape Town play in the desecration of a centuries old Cape heritage event? Name changed, date changed, route changed. #tweedenuwejaar #cityofcapetown #democraticalliance #heritage ♬ Last Summer – Tele Music

The EFF Joins the Minstrel Fraternity on Condemning the Commercialism of Heritage as the DA-Led City of Cape Town and KKKPA Reroute Historic Parade

-The parade is now envisaged to start in Lower Chiappini Street, move along Somerset Road, and conclude inside DHL Stadium. This… pic.twitter.com/i2XxgVNFOp

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 27, 2025

In a statement, before the court hearing, the City moved to clarify that the court matter was not related to the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar event.

Additionally, it noted that Tweede Nuwe Jaar is organised by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, which expressed its intention for the street parade to run to Green Point via Somerset Road, instead of the usual route.  

“The KKKA approached the City early in 2025 with the intention of gaining the municipality’s support for its proposal to take the road march to Green Point via Somerset Road…  The KKKA has since applied for the road march to go through the fanwalk down Somerset Road and into DHL Stadium. That application, along with safety and logistical plans are in the final stages of scrutiny before a permit is issued.” 

Further to this, the City stressed that it is not the organiser of the minstrel parade and does not determine the route of the event. The City said its Events Permit Office is “currently finalising the permit application for the 2026 Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade or the Cape Town Street Parade”.  

“The permit review process is still under way, and a decision will be made in the coming week once all the plans have been finalised.” 

The City emphasised that it is “not the custodian nor the organiser”, adding that it cannot and does not decide on the route of the road march.  

“That decision resides with the minstrel fraternity.” 

The municipality’s role is regulatory, with the Events Permit Office tasked to evaluating the application and to ensure that all plans are compliant with By-Laws. 

The City said it “has lent its support to the move on condition that the organisation submits plans for the proper management of the event route”. 

About 20,000 performers are expected to march from Chiappini Street along the 1.2km route, with the event pencilled in for Monday, 5 January 2026, pending final approval. 

The City also sought to distance the parade from ongoing legal proceedings.  

“It pertains to a different minstrel grouping, namely the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association.” 

A City spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, said the City will be filing its opposing papers at the court on Monday.  

*This article has been updated to include the latest on the court matter. 

34 people lost their lives on the roads in the Western Cape this past week.  

This is based on the Provincial Mobility Department’s stats between 22 and 28 December. 14 of these fatalities were pedestrians.  

The department noted, in addition, that seven cyclists and nine motorcyclists have lost their lives during the festive season so far, “highlighting the extreme vulnerability of two-wheel road users”.  

Other statistics include that 27 crashes occurred over this period. 103 arrests made by Provincial Traffic Services, with 73 motorists arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and an additional 15 arrests were linked to possession of fraudulent documentation. At the same time, the department recorded 301 speeding offences, with the highest speed measured at 167km/h in a 120km/h zone. 

“To curb risky behaviour, 199 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations were conducted across the Western Cape. During these operations, over 32 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, and more than 7 900 fines were issued for various traffic violations, ranging from driver fitness to vehicle unroadworthiness,” read the department’s statement.  

Meanwhile, Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said the grim statistics underline ongoing concerns around reckless driving and alcohol abuse during peak holiday travel.  

“The loss of 34 lives in just one week is a harsh reminder that unsafe behaviour on our roads has devastating consequences. Far too many of these incidents, particularly those involving alcohol and vulnerable road users, are entirely preventable,” said Sileku.  

While there is concern that law enforcement alone is not enough to curb fatalities on provincial roads, Chief Director of Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout, added that traffic officers would remain visible “with ongoing roadblocks, speed enforcement and vehicle checks taking place around the clock”. 

These provincial figures come amid another tragic incident in the Southern Cape. 

Southern Cape SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Christopher Spies, confirmed that police are investigating a fatal crash on the R341 outside Uniondale on Sunday afternoon.  

“Uniondale police opened a culpable homicide docket in connection with the death of two victims, 16-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy,” said Spies.  

Spies said preliminary information suggests that a Toyota Fortuner with eight occupants overturned.  

“Two of the occupants, children, who sustained multiple injuries were declared dead by medical personnel on arrival… One person, believed to be the driver, was airlifted to a hospital in George,” he said, adding that the cause of the accident is still under investigation. 

As the festive season continues, Sileku reiterated that road safety comes down to individual choices and appealed to road users to make responsible ones. 

“I urge every road user to make responsible choices, to look out for one another, be patient and vigilant on our roads, and help us ensure that everyone arrives safely at their destination.”