KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has warned matrics to avoid dangerous ‘pens down’ parties that often end in tragedy.

“At these parties, pupils – some still underage – indulge in alcohol and illegal drugs. Sadly, many do not end without casualties,” he said.

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“We appeal to parents to adopt active parenthood and discourage their children from risking their lives.”

Speaking at Thursday’s launch of the Integrated Safer Festive Season operations in Durban, Mkhwanazi warned that police would be out ‘to enforce the law, not to negotiate with lawbreakers’.

He also urged motorists to obey traffic laws as roads become busier during the holidays. “Working with the Border Management Authority, Road Traffic Inspectorate and other stakeholders, we have put together plans to police the influx,” he said.

Warning event organisers to comply with regulations, he added: “Enforcing the law also means switching off the sound and dispersing the crowd at illegally staged events.”

Mkhwanazi cautioned residents to avoid carrying large sums of money and urged stokvel groups to rather use electronic transfers.

He also warned against stock theft. “Police will seize meat at ceremonies if hosts cannot provide proof of purchase.”

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