Enyobeni Tavern owners Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu. Picture: Bheki Radebe/Independent Newspapers
Four years after 21 teenagers died at Enyobeni Tavern, the East London Regional Court has found the former owners liable for the tragedy, but the tavern owner remains defiant and has shifted blame to parents.
Magistrate Mvuselelo Malindi handed down his verdict after a lengthy inquest exploring the circumstances surrounding the horrifying events of the night in question.
The tragedy struck on June 26, 2022, when teenagers, some as young as 13, gathered at the tavern in KuGompo City, formerly East London, to celebrate the end of their exams, known locally as a pens down party. What was meant to be a joyous occasion turned into a horrific scene of chaos and despair.
The ruling comes four years after the tragedy in which 21 young people died. The youngest victim was 13. Despite the court finding both the manager and owner grossly negligent for failing to comply with the Liquor Act, tavern owner Siyakhangela Ndevu said the parents were to blame.
