Parents of the 21 teenagers who died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London in June under mysterious circumstances want the owner of the premises to be charged with murder, not just of violating the Liquor Act.
The case is still under investigation, but residents in the area have joined the parents in demanding owner Siyakhangela Owen Ndevu be arrested for murder, reports News24.
Ndevu (52) made his first appearance in the East London Magistrate’s Court last Friday (19 August), accused of selling liquor to underage children on the night the 12 girls and nine boys died at his establishment.
The case was opened by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board just days after the tragedy. No one has yet been charged, and the cause of death is still being investigated.
Khululekile Ncandana, a leader of the “Enyobeni parents’ task team”, who lost his son Bhongo, said the owner should account for the deaths and be locked up in jail.
“We are disappointed he still freely roams the streets after our children perished under suspicious circumstances. This case is only about violation of the Liquor Act. He should be charged with murder. He shows no remorse and looks happy, while we as parents are suffering from the loss of our children.”
ANC Youth League regional spokesperson Andisiwe Kumbaca said they were outraged Ndevu was still “roaming the streets”. “It cannot be business as usual when 21 young people died. He is living a normal life … while the lives of young people, future leaders of this country, were snuffed out.”
The league has called for tougher measures and sentences to be imposed on people selling liquor to underage children.
Ndevu previously told News24 he was not at the venue when the tragedy occurred, and had been deeply saddened by events. He was never arrested, but issued with a summons to appear in court.
The case has been postponed to 2 September for a pre-trial conference.
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Ramaphosa urges action to curb teen drinking after tavern tragedy