ENYOBENI tavern owners Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu who have already been found guilty of selling liquor to underage children now face another legal battle as an inquest into the deaths of 21 young people at the their tavern has found prima facie evidence for criminal prosecution against a police officer and the Ndevus. The findings have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority, which will decide whether charges should be brought.
Justice has moved a step closer for the families of the 21 young people who died in the eNyobeni tavern tragedy after an inquest found there is sufficient evidence for criminal prosecutions.
Delivering judgment in the Mdantsane Regional Court on Friday, Magistrate Mvuselelo Malindi ruled that there is prima facie evidence to prosecute those whose actions and omissions may have contributed to the deaths. The findings will now be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which will decide whether to institute criminal proceedings.
Malindi found that Sergeant Tabisa Kondile, the police officer responsible for liquor-related matters at the Scenery Park police station, was grossly negligent for failing to act on complaints that the tavern was contravening liquor trading laws in the month leading up to the tragedy.
