A formal inquest into the deaths of 21 teenagers at Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park, East London has been postponed to September 11.
The inquest was remanded by the regional court in East London on Thursday for the state to furnish contents of the docket to legal representatives of parties involved.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the inquest has also been moved to the Mdantsane regional court due to the size of the court in East London.
“In April, the Eastern Cape director of public prosecutions, Barry Madolo, decided that the inquest be held by a regional court to establish if anyone can be held criminally liable, by commission or omission, for the deaths,” said Tyali.
“At this moment, it is unclear what caused the incident and hence the state declined to prosecute.”
Tyali said the matter has been referred for a formal inquest, which is inquisitorial by nature, not accusatorial.
“Witnesses including experts, eyewitnesses and the owners of Enyobeni tavern are expected to give evidence.”
Enyobeni tavern owners, Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, face charges of selling or supplying intoxicating liquor to persons under 18 years, and conniving with and permitting employees and agents to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to persons under 18 years.
They have pleaded not guilty and are due back in the dock on October 24 and 25.
In June 2022, the 21 patrons, mostly under-age children, died at Enyobeni as a result of what was believed to be chemical poisoning based on the initial autopsy.
However, the final report suggests suffocation from overcrowding as the cause of teenagers’ deaths.
The parents of the teenagers accuse the government of “treating them like fools” after contradictory statements regarding the cause of the teenagers’ deaths.
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