South African Minister of Police Bheki Cele addressed community members of East London’s Scenery Park after at least 22 people were found dead inside a popular tavern in the coastal town on Sunday, Reuters reported. 

The incident took place at the Enyobeni tavern in the wee hours of the day. Cele stated that he was informed that the place was often visited by minors.

Questioning parents about how they slept on Saturday night without knowing their children’s whereabouts, Cele said: “I stay with my boy who is in university in Cape Town. He came back home after 11pm on Friday night and I sat him down and told him you don’t come home after 11pm.”

He added that each parent had the crucial responsibility of making sure their child was safe.

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A video on Twitter displays Cele addressing a crowd but stopping midway as tears roll down his eyes. He then covers his eyes and walks away.

According to a report by TimesLIVE, Cele visited the nightclub on Sunday morning after hearing that 17 patrons had inexplicably died. Three other victims, that were taken to a local hospital, also passed away.

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Cele said that at first, he received reports that suggested that a stampede had occurred. However, evidence found at the crime scene contradicted the theory and ruled it out. 

“But I cannot disclose to you what happened until I have been told by the investigating team,” he said.

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“We have brought in a special forensic team from the police in Pretoria … They are a top team that will tell us if it was poison but we need to come back to this area to see what is happening in the shebeens and not only come back once they have killed our kids,” Cele added.