Enyobeni tavern owners liable for 21 deaths, court rules
A court found Enyobeni tavern owners and a police officer liable for failures that contributed to the deaths of 21 young people in 2022.
The owners of the Enyobeni tavern and a police officer have been found liable for failures that contributed to the deaths of 21 children and young adults following a stampede at the Eastern Cape establishment.
The victims had been attending a party to celebrate the end of mid-year exams when the tragedy happened in 2022.
Delivering judgment in the long-running inquest today, Magistrate Mkhululi Lomalindi found tavern owners Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu failed to comply with liquor laws.
The pair appeared in the East London Regional Court in Mdantsane for the ruling.
The SABC reported on Friday that the magistrate also found SAPS Sergeant Thabisa Kondile negligent for failing to act on complaints that the tavern was operating in contravention of the Liquor Trading Act, a month before the tragedy.
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" When the offence was committed in her presence, she did nothing. It is my respectful view that he failed the community and those surrounding her. The offences, a number of them were committed in her presence. She does nothing, as if there's nothing happening. At the same stage, she is sent pictures of people transgressing the provisions of the Eastern Cape Liquor Act."
The victims, one of them being teenager Azizipho, had packed into the tavern to celebrate the end of exams.
"Azizipho was born on the 21st of January in 2006 in East London,” his family said shortly after his death.
"Azizipho was looking forward to completing his Grade 12 and being a doctor one day. Azizipho loved sports. He played soccer at school. He suddenly passed away on the 26th of June 2022. He will be deeply missed by his family."
From the accounts of survivors, those in the establishment were exposed to some sort of toxic chemical at some point during the night.
Police have yet to confirm the exact cause of the deaths.
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane said the victims’ families had hoped their loved ones would achieve great things.
"As a nation, we have lost future doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs and future world sports champions.
"The passing of these young people deprives our government of civil servants who would have made an effective contribution in the development of our communities."
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