Task Force Officer Calls for Culpable Homicide Charges in Enyobeni Tavern Tragedy

In a grave development surrounding the Enyobeni tavern tragedy, it has been recommended that culpable homicide charges be laid against the establishment's owners, the Ndevu couple, as well as their bouncer, Thembisa Diko, following the suffocating deaths of 21 youngsters.

The recommendation came from Brigadier Mxolisi Mqotyana, who led the investigation into the tragic incident, during proceedings at the Mdantsane Magistrates Court in the ongoing inquest. His call for charges is rooted in clear findings of negligence after an examination of the facility revealed that the tavern lacked sufficient fire exits and was outfitted with inadequate ventilation, particularly in the crucial lower section of the establishment.

Compounding the violations was the alteration of the building's structure, completed without proper authorization from the Eastern Cape Liquor Board two years ago. These safety oversights are now seen as contributing factors to the catastrophe.

The actions of bouncer Thembisa Diko were also sharply criticized. The use of pepper spray in an already stifling and overcrowded environment is believed to have exacerbated the panic and contributed to the fatal outcome. Despite initial denials by Diko, witness accounts and other evidence point towards this negligent action being a critical mistake.

The tragedy's unsettling aftereffects were further highlighted by the discovery of tampering with the tavern's CCTV equipment and subsequent looting, as Mqotyana noted the dismal behavior of onlookers who stripped possessions from the deceased victims. Five individuals were arrested for these acts of theft, though they were not implicated in the deaths.

This distressing incident was first confronted by authorities early on June 26, 2022, when the responding officer encountered a harrowing scene of multiple losses of young life. The visuals of lifeless bodies, some with foam at the nose, have left enduring questions and a search for justice.

The victims' families continue to navigate their grief, grappling with the desire for concrete explanations. Ntombizonke Mngangala, an aunt to one of the perished youths, expressed dissatisfaction with the inquiry's findings thus far, pointing out the inconclusive nature of the forensic results.

In the days prior to the calamitous event, signs of potential danger seem to have been missed or ignored, as the local police constable based in Scenery Park attested to having no prior complaints about the tavern, despite community concerns.

Among those who bore witness to the immediate aftermath was a 24-year-old woman named Esona Bobani, who tragically discovered the deceased body of a girl she endeavored to rescue outside the tavern. Her attempt to save a life, only to learn of its extinguished hope, underscores the devastating impact of that tragic evening.

As the inquest closes its initial phase, with over 30 testimonies anticipated, the community seeks closure, while authorities aim to secure accountability for the negligence leading up to these unfortunate deaths.