An emergency medical services employee who was assigned to Enyobeni Tavern in June 2022 testified that antifreeze could have been the cause of the tragic deaths of 21 teenagers.
The paramedic, Alan Hattingh, certified 18 of the deaths.
Hattingh was delivering his testimony at the inquest of Enyobeni Tavern in June 2022 continued at Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court. Testimony from Hattingh’s account painted a picture of the chaotic scene and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
EMS encountered a large crowd outside
He testified that he was assigned at around 2.30am on June 26 2022. This was after the call centre reported a stampede at the tavern, allegedly triggered by tear gas or pepper spray.
“All available EMS vehicles were dispatched,” he said.
Upon arrival, Hattingh said he encountered a large crowd outside, still partying. This while desperate families banged on the tavern’s locked doors, pleading to enter. And no police were present at the scene.
“It was dark, and I was later told that due to load-shedding, police had closed the doors out of fear, and fallen asleep,” he said.
Cops failed to respond due to load-shedding
After rattling the door for three minutes, he drove to Cambridge Police Station. There, he had to wake the sleeping officers, explaining the emergency, before they agreed to help.
Hattingh told the court that he offered to take two officers in his patient vehicle. This was because they insisted on waiting for a police van.
Returning to the tavern, Hattingh found EMS workers treating patrons outside and transporting them to hospitals.
“People were scattered on the left and right sides of the floor by the entrance. And we started searching for more deceased patrons,” Hattingh testified.
He revealed that there was no smell of tear gas or pepper spray.
Bottle of antifreeze
“If tear gas had been present, respirators would have been necessary.”
Hattingh described a strong smell of alcohol and requested that windows be opened to alleviate the stifling atmosphere.
Upstairs in the VIP area, EMS workers found three men with their arms crossed over their chests. They were lifeless and lying among empty alcohol bottles.
He said his attention was drawn to a bottle of antifreeze.
“1.5 ml of methanol is fatal,” he explained.
According to Hattingh, antifreeze contains methanol, a lethal additive sometimes used to boost alcohol content. He added that vodka is the only known antidote. And the tavern’s generator, located outside, did not have a radiator. This ruled out a legitimate use for antifreeze.
Meanwhile, Dr Sithandiwe Kunyuza, who testified earlier in the inquest, dismissed the stampede theory.
Kunyuza said post-mortem and toxicology reports identified crushed asphyxia as the primary cause of death, with carbon monoxide poisoning and methanol as contributing factors. Some victims had dirt and mud on their faces and bodies, suggesting they were pressed against the floor.
Hattingh corroborated this, describing the floor as wet, dirty, and muddy due to the humid conditions.
Victims scattered on the floor
“Only one deceased had been identified,” he said. “The victim’s phone kept ringing as their mother frantically searched for her son.”
Some victims were found in their underwear. With their personal items like phones, wallets, and shoes missing.
The inquest will continue on October 27 and 28. Legal representatives are expected to argue who should be held criminally liable, by omission or commission, for the 21 deaths.
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