The owners of Enyobeni Tavern in East London, Eastern Cape are adamant that the teenagers who died at their establishment were not sold alcohol.
This is according to Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, who took the stand in their defence in the East London regional court this week.
On Wednesday, Siyakhangela said the teenagers arrived at the tavern in the early hours of the morning already intoxicated.
Teens forced their way inside Enyobeni
He further told the court that they forced entry even when the tavern security were chasing them away.
He said this after the state had closed its case, and the defence called for the duo to take the stand for cross-examination by senior state prosecutor, advocate Tango Pangalela.
“The police did not conduct any investigation, they simply picked up all the bodies that were lying on the floor,” said Siyakhangela.
Among the evidence already led by the state is that of a neighbour of the Ndevu couple, eyewitnesses who were present at the establishment when the incident occurred, Eastern Cape Liquor Boards and the CCTV footage taken from the tavern.
Couple plead not guilty
The couple faces charges of selling or supplying intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 years, and conniving with and permitting employees and agents to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 years.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case has been postponed to November 29 for the continuation of the evidence of the third defence witness, Sivuyile Gqamlana, one of the cashiers who was on duty at the Enyobeni Tavern on the night of the teenagers’ deaths.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Gqamlana has already paid R2 000 admission of guilt fine for his role in the sale of liquor to underaged children.Â
Twenty-one young people had gone to the tavern for a pens-down celebration when they lost their lives on June 26 2022.
A formal inquest into the teens’ deaths is due for a pre-trial conference in the Mdantsane regional court on Thursday.
