Pretoria - An investigation will be launched into how police monitored taverns at Ipelegeng in the North West Province, following the death of 10 people during a stampede at a tavern on New Year's Day.
According to the province's Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, national Police Commissioner Bheki Cele announced the investigation during a mass funeral for seven victims at the Ipelegeng Sports Ground on Sunday.
They were killed when commotion allegedly broke out during New Year's festivities at the Basotho Inn, in the Ipelegeng township, causing revellers to rush for the door as they tried to leave a crowded hall.
In the stampede that ensued, seven men and three women were killed.
The owner of the tavern, James Thembiso Lepholletse, has since been arrested and charged with culpable homicide.
The department's acting MEC, Dr Magome Masike, welcomed the investigation and commended the community for exercising restraint and behaving in a dignified manner in the days leading up to the funerals of the victims.
Shortly after the incident, the department said that the Basotho Inn was not authorised to operate as a tavern.
The trading licence for the business was for a food outlet with limited sale of beer, wine and spirits served with a meal, it said.
Police inspected 881 liquor premises across the province and closed down 194 illegal outlets as part of Operation Duty Calls - the festive season crime prevention campaign that kicked off in October 2010.
