Liquor board shuts down Enyobeni tavern, to lay criminal charges against owner
Authorities in the Eastern Cape has revoked the Enyobeni tavern’s liquor licence following the deaths of 21 people at the East London establishment over the weekend.
Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed on Sunday that the 21 young people did not die of natural causes.
Cele visited the crime scene in Scenery Park and confirmed the deaths of nine girls and 12 boys, with the youngest victim only 13 years old.
Pupils were apparently attending a ‘pens down’ party.
Eastern Cape Liquor Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya says criminal charges will also be laid against the owner of the tavern.
READ: EC tavern tragedy: Ramaphosa concerned at underage drinking
"You will have heard that there are reports that the youngest young person who passed on is 13 years old, that is of great concern to us.
"That's why we are saying we as the Eastern Cape Liquor Board we're going to lay a criminal charge against this liquor trader.
“We want him to be arrested as a matter of urgency."
Investigations into the cause of the deaths are still ongoing.
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