Club takes flack after stabbing
HARLEQUINS Sports Club came under fire last week, when a fight broke out between suspected gangs at a funfair, but the club maintains it is pro-active about security and parents need to step up.
The fun fair was disturbed somewhere between 10 and 11pm on Saturday, 9 October when a fight broke out between drunk under-aged teens. At least one of them sustained severe injuries after being stabbed with a broken bottle.
Locals took to social media and email groups soon after decrying the club for lax security and serving alcohol to minors. Club management, however maintains they have been pro-active when it comes to public security and will continue to do so.
“We had a 33-man security team in force that night and we ensured no alcohol sold by us left the building. Our staff refused to serve any minors and suffered much abuse because of it, with bottles hurled at some of them. We believe alcohol was smuggled in from elsewhere,” said chairman Kevin Parker.
The fight, which allegedly broke out between two teens involved in gang activities, was purportedly announced days before on Facebook. “We noticed a lot of children; some not even teens yet, being dropped off by their parents. All children should be accompanied by adults and not left unsupervised. These parents need to take responsibility,” said co-manager, Sid McLuckie.
The club is investigating whether it will host the event again in future, following the fight and the fallout in the community thereafter. “We have committed ourselves to never using fireworks again, but had hoped to still be able to provide entertainment for the Bluff, which is lacking,” said Parker.
According to co-manager, Barry De Swardt, the club has employed bouncers every Friday and Saturday night to ensure the safety of its customers. “We are not hiding from the problem, we are facing it head-on and are open to solutions and assistance from the community. We want to ensure their safety,” added Parker.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
