Enyobeni Tavern disaster

Last updated

Enyobeni Tavern disaster
South Africa adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Scenery Park township
Scenery Park township (South Africa)
Date26 June 2022 (2022-06-26)
Location East London, South Africa
CauseUnder investigation
Deaths21
Non-fatal injuries4 [1]

On 26 June 2022, 21 people died during celebrations at the Enyobeni Tavern, a shebeen in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [2] Four more people were injured. No official causes of death have been publicly released. [2]

Contents

Background

The Enyobeni Tavern is a two-storey building located in Scenery Park, East London, Eastern Cape, amidst densely populated residences. The building had received complaints from local residents due to its late opening hours and the noise from the building. Although the legal drinking age in South Africa is eighteen, the tavern reportedly served alcohol to minors. [3]

A promotional Facebook post for the weekend party at the tavern drew media attention after the incident as it concluded with "kuzofiwa", which, in a party context, is a slang term for, 'It’s going to be a great time'. Its literal translation in isiXhosa and isiZulu however, is: 'There is going to be death'. [4] [5]

Incident

During a celebration of hlanjwa iphepha ('pens down'), a tradition in South Africa that celebrates the end of school exams, multiple people were killed in the Enyobeni tavern on 26 June 2022. Initial reports suggested a crowd crush, but this was not confirmed by investigation authorities. [6] The owner of the bar, Siyakhangela Ngevu, who was not present when the deaths occurred, stated that he had received calls from security at around 1:00 a.m., informing him of people attempting to force their way through a gate outside of the tavern. [7] [8] Promise Matinise, the entertainment manager of the tavern, said they had a lack of manpower to deal with overcrowding and that some patrons tried to force their way in. [9] Matinise witnessed people falling while bouncers failed to control the large crowd and stated he contacted the owner upon discovering that the people were dead. [10] Videos of the venue prior to the disaster show that it was packed with young people, with many appearing to be underage. [11]

A 17-year-old patron told Al Jazeera that when the venue became overcrowded, security instructed people to leave, to no avail. The patron stated that a security guard closed the doors and sprayed a chemical into the crowd. The patron said they were unable to breathe and that "we suffocated for a long time and [were] pushing each other but there was no use because some people were dying". The substance reportedly "smelled like gas". [12] An injured grade 11 witness said that he was robbed of personal belongings as he laid trapped by other victims. [13] [14]

Another 17-year-old recounted: "We were told to wear black and white. It was a DJ's birthday party. While we were sitting inside at around 12:00 a.m., someone sprayed pepper spray and we ran out. We didn't see who sprayed the pepper spray but we were told it was the owner and he wanted us to leave. We left and went to another place. When we came back again, the door was locked and the bouncer wouldn't let us in because it was already packed inside." [15] A 19-year-old eyewitness told Agence France-Presse: "We tried moving through the crowd, shouting 'please let us through’, and others were shouting 'we are dying, guys', and 'we are suffocating' and 'there are people who can't breathe'". She then passed out, describing that "there was a strong smell of some type of spray in the air. We thought it was pepper spray." [15]

At 4:00 a.m., a call was placed by a witness reporting that there were multiple deaths at the tavern. [6] Seventeen victims, the youngest being 13, were found on the dance floor and in chairs, couches, and tables, but with no obvious signs of injury. [16] Two victims died at a local clinic, and two more victims died while or after being evacuated to a hospital. [16]

Victims

Nine girls and twelve boys aged between 13 and 21 died in the disaster. [2] After emergency services were called, [17] four people were taken to hospital, but the cause of deaths and injuries was unclear as of 26 June and an investigation had begun. [18] [19] Parents were asked to identify their children at a mortuary. Minister of Police Bheki Cele said, "It's a disaster. Twenty-one of them. Too many." [20]

As of 27 June, four people were hospitalised in a critical condition. [9] Other survivors were treated for backache, tight chests, vomiting and headaches. [20] Officials urged parents of survivors to take them to hospital for a medical checkup. [1]

These are the names of the pupils who died on 26 June 2022 at Enyobeni Tavern.

#Date (s) of birthAge (s)Name (s) and Surname (s)
110 December 200120 yearsLithemba Velaphi
217 November 200318 yearsMbulelo Rhangile
312 March 200418 yearsInathi Nkani
410 April 200418 yearsKungentando Nzima
505 July 200417 yearsOvayo Mateyise
609 July 200417 yearsBongolethu Ncandana
730 August 200417 yearsAnathi Ngqoza
813 November 200417 yearsSinothando Mgangala
929 November 200417 yearsSimamkele Sobetwa
1028 February 200517 yearsAluncedo Monela
1106 March 200517 yearsSimele Bolsiki
1206 May 200517 yearsEsinako Sinarhana
1322 August 200516 yearsOyena Ngoloyi
1428 November 200516 yearsLungile Bekiso
1518 December 200516 yearsAsamkele Thukuthe
1621 January 200616 yearsAzizipho Zilindile
1717 February 200616 yearsInamandla Wexu
1804 July 200615 yearsLilitha Methuko
1902 April 200715 yearsSisanda Mahlahlaka
2021 August 200714 yearsSisekela Tshemese
2123 February 200814 yearsThembinkosi Silwane

Investigation

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, an investigation was opened into the probable causes of the deaths. [21] Samples from the bodies of the victims were taken to toxicology laboratories in Cape Town for analysis. [22] The South African Police Service released a statement regarding the incident and stated that they would be deploying "maximum resources" to the investigation, and also said the public should not speculate on the cause of death. [2] Police guarded the tavern scene in the days after the incident to prevent tampering. [23]

A provincial safety officer said that since there were "no visible wounds", the cause of death was likely not a stampede. [24] A spokesperson for the Eastern Cape's provincial community safety department went on to state that they were ruling out a stampede entirely and that the most likely cause of death was poison-related, pointing out CCTV footage showing hookah pipes at the tavern. [25] Eastern Cape MEC for Safety Weziwe Tikana ruled out a stampede because "there were three young people who were coming to speak to us when we got to the scene, and they fainted along the way. One of them has since died while en-route to hospital. This means what they consumed remained in their bodies." [26] An Eastern Cape police spokesperson said the culprit was either something ingested or inhaled. [27]

On 29 June, news reports said the investigators suspect carbon monoxide poisoning from a petrol generator that was operating in the tavern after a power outage in the area. While autopsies have not yet been completed, the chief medical officer at the local mortuary said the bodies showed signs of "chemical asphyxia". [28] However, a different official in the forensic pathology services said "It is highly unlikely that the cause of death was through fumes from a generator. But we are still waiting for toxicology results." [29] On 6 July, an Eastern Cape Department of Health official said that a stampede had been ruled out but that more time would be needed to determine cause of death. A forensic pathology team examined the tavern where 17 bodies were found. Postmortems were performed the same day. [30]

On 19 July, it was reported that methanol was present in the bodies of all 21 of the deceased. "Alcohol poisoning" and carbon monoxide have been ruled out. Dr. Litha Matiwane, Eastern Cape provincial deputy director for clinical service, stated authorities are still examining whether the found levels of this toxic chemical were lethal, or whether an additional factor leading to death was involved. [31]

In September, the families of the victims rejected the findings of an official toxicology report, which ascribed the deaths to suffocation. [32] The Eastern Cape Department of Health briefed family members on the findings of the toxicology reports, but did not provide written documentation. This has upset the family members. [33]

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) said it would lay criminal charges against the owner of the Enyobeni Tavern, and revoke the liquor licence of the tavern. Board CEO Nombuyiselo Makala stated that the owner flagrantly violated the Liquor Act by serving alcohol to minors. [34] The tavern was found by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to have been built illegally. The city has not received any land-use application, nor has it granted any departure for operating a tavern at the location. The outcome of the ongoing investigation, as of 3 July, will determine whether the tavern will be demolished. [35]

The owner of the club and two employees have been arrested after the ECLB opened a criminal case for allegedly selling alcohol to minors. [36]

The owner and her husband, who was the tavern’s manager, have been charged with two offences of selling or supplying liquor to minors, and conniving with or allowing their employees and agents to do so as well. [37]

On 23 February 2024, the club's owners were ordered to pay a R5000 fine or serve 100 days imprisonment. [38]

Aftermath

The Buffalo City South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) branch and the ANC Scenery Park branch held a meeting on 28 June 2022 following which they held a night vigil in front of the tavern, praying for the deceased as well as sickened victims. [23] Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality said it would provide grave sites free of charge for the victims, and local funeral provider Avbob pledged to donate coffins, transportation, and assist with burial. [15]

On 29 June, the government stated autopsies have been completed on all victims and that samples were sent to a Western Cape lab for further investigation. [39]

On 30 June, police allowed the tavern owner and his wife access to the bar and they loaded bakkies up with alcohol from the premises. The owner permitted media to enter the tavern as well, who reported that in the VIP area on the second floor they observed "Happy Birthday" balloons and broken chairs across the floor. [40] [41] On the same day, the Scenery Park Methodist Church prayed outside the building, and called on law enforcement to provide answers on what caused the disaster so that the families of the victims could get some closure. [42]

On 6 July, thousands attended a mass funeral service for the 21 victims. [36] President Cyril Ramaphosa and other dignitaries spoke at the gathering. [43] [44] While 21 coffins were present in the service, 19 were empty and present as symbolic, only two victims being buried that day with the rest scheduled for burial later in private ceremonies by their families. [45] The Economic Freedom Fighters party criticised the government for holding a "fake" funeral, against the wishes of the families and with empty coffins, and questioned how much the province had spent on it. A Metro spokesperson said no actual body was displayed in public in accordance with the families' wishes. [46] The last victim was buried on Sunday, 10 July. [47]

Buffalo City has called on alcohol outlets to strictly enforce entry requirements and require IDs to screen out underage drinking. More than a thousand establishments in the metro are registered with the provincial Liquor Board. [48]

Four suspects have been accused of stealing the victims' belongings. One of them, a minor, was released to his parents and will be dealt with according to the Children's Act. The other three have been arrested and denied bail. [49]

Reactions

The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, offered his condolences to the victims of the disaster. Siyakhangela Ngevu (the owner of the tavern), who was not present when the deaths occurred, apologised and called for calm. Ngevu stated that he "sympathised with the people who have lost their loved ones" and that it "wasn't my intention for this to happen". [7] [8]

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) questioned whether the country learned anything from the 2000 Throb nightclub disaster in Chatsworth, in which 13 children were killed. The NYDA said that at that time people questioned what underage children were doing in a nightclub, and now over twenty years later the country is facing the same type of tragedy with underage children at a nightclub, demonstrating "our lack of progress as a country". The NYDA called for a swift and transparent investigation, and called on parents to work with law enforcement and report such underage activity.

SANCO called on the government to declare Scenery Park a disaster area. Buffalo City regional treasurer Nomthunzi Mbiko said there were prior complaints about the tavern: "We visited the Scenery Park police station many times complaining about the tavern and the ECLB. The police and ECLB must also come forward to explain to us how [they gave] the owner of the tavern the licence and who signed the documents." [23]

The Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders Association called for enforcement against underage drinking and recommended increasing the legal drinking age from 18 to 21. [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Station nightclub fire</span> 2003 deadly fire at a rock concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA

The Station nightclub fire occurred on the evening of February 20, 2003, at The Station, a nightclub and hard rock music venue in West Warwick, Rhode Island, United States, killing 100 people and injuring 230. During a concert by the rock band Great White, a pyrotechnic display ignited flammable acoustic foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. Within six minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames. The fire was the deadliest fireworks accident in U.S. history and the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. It was also the second-deadliest nightclub fire in New England, behind the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SABC</span> State-owned public broadcaster in South Africa

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is the public broadcaster in South Africa, and provides 19 radio stations (AM/FM) as well as six television broadcasts to the general public. It is one of the largest of South Africa's state-owned enterprises.

The following lists events that happened during 1999 in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satyricon (nightclub)</span> Former nightclub in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Satyricon was a nightclub in the Old Town neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, United States that operated from 1984 to 2010. It was the longest-running punk venue in the western United States, and has been referred to by some journalists and historians as the "CBGB of the West Coast." It is also the place where musicians Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love are said to have first met.

Nightlife legislation of the United States is mostly in local jurisdiction of the city or state.

Prior to 1994, immigrants from elsewhere faced discrimination and even violence in South Africa due competition for scarce economic opportunities. After majority rule in 1994, contrary to expectations, the incidence of xenophobia increased. In 2008, at least 62 people were killed in the xenophobic uprising and attacks. In 2015, another nationwide spike in xenophobic attacks against immigrants in general prompted a number of foreign governments to begin repatriating their citizens. A Pew Research poll conducted in 2018 showed that 62% of South Africans expressed negative sentiment about foreign nationals living and working in South Africa, believing that immigrants are a burden on society by taking jobs and social benefits and that 61% of South Africans thought that immigrants were more responsible for crime than other groups. There is no factual evidence to substantiate the notion that immigrants are the main culprits of criminal activity in South Africa, even though the claim is incorrectly made in sometimes by politicians and public figures. Between 2010 and 2017 the number of foreigners living in South Africa increased from 2 million people to 4 million people. The proportion of South Africa's total population that is foreign born increased from 2.8% in 2005 to 7% in 2019, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, South Africa is the largest recipient of immigrants on the African continent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max du Preez</span> South African author

Max du Preez is a South African author, columnist and documentary filmmaker and was the founding editor of Vrye Weekblad. Vrye Weekblad Online or Vrye Weekblad II was launched on 5 April 2019 again with Max du Preez as editor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murder of Anni Dewani</span> Indian-Swedish engineer murdered in South Africa

Anni Ninna Dewani was a Swedish woman of Indian origin who was murdered while on her honeymoon in South Africa after the taxi in which she and her husband Shrien Dewani were traveling was hijacked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 South African general election</span> 2014 South African National Assembly and provincial legislatures elections

General elections were held in South Africa on 7 May 2014, to elect a new National Assembly and new provincial legislatures in each province. It was the fifth election held in South Africa under conditions of universal adult suffrage since the end of the apartheid era in 1994, and also the first held since the death of Nelson Mandela. It was also the first time that South African expatriates were allowed to vote in a South African national election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mmusi Maimane</span> South African politician

Mmusi Aloysias Maimane is a South African politician, businessman, and leader of Build One South Africa, a political party. Maimane is also the former Leader of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) political party from 10 May 2015 to 23 October 2019, and the former Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa from 29 May 2014 to 24 October 2019. He is the former leader of the DA in the Johannesburg City Council and the DA National Spokesperson. In 2011, he was elected to be the DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate in the 2011 municipal elections. In that election, Maimane helped to grow the party's voter base, but was not elected mayor. Thereafter he served as Leader of the Official Opposition on the Johannesburg City Council until May 2014. In addition to his political career, he is also a pastor and elder at Liberty Church. He formed the One South Africa Movement in 2020. Mmusi Maimane launched this new political party, Build One South Africa on 24 September 2022.

The 2006 nightlife legislation in New York City was enacted on August 23, 2006 in response to violent crime involving nightclubs in the New York City area. One of the first measures to come about was a three-point plan proposed by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in her August 8, 2006 memorandum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulse nightclub shooting</span> 2016 mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, US

On June 12, 2016, 29-year-old Omar Mateen shot and killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States before Orlando Police officers fatally shot him after a three-hour standoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 South African general election</span>

General elections were held in South Africa on 8 May 2019 to elect a new President, National Assembly and provincial legislatures in each province. These were the sixth elections held since the end of apartheid in 1994 and determined who would become the next President of South Africa.

The Throb nightclub disaster occurred on 24 March 2000, when panic broke out after the detonation of a teargas canister at the Throb nightclub in Chatsworth, Durban in South Africa. There were 600 children from age 11-14 celebrating the end of term. The incident resulted with deaths of 13 children and 100 injured. The youngest to die in the accident was 11 years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Transformation Movement</span> South African political party (e. 2019)

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is a political party in South Africa. It is led by Vuyolwethu Zungula, leader and party president. It was formed with the backing of the South African Council of Messianic Churches in Christ (SACMCC), which together are supported by millions of congregants.

On 9 July 2022, a mass shooting took place at a tavern in Orlando, Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa. 16 people were killed in the incident.

On 9 July 2022, a mass shooting occurred at the Samukelisiwe tavern at Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The shooting left four people dead and eight others injured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Gujarat toxic liquor deaths</span> Mass poisoning in Gujarat, India

On 25 July 2022, at least 42 people died and more than 97 were hospitalized in a methanol poisoning incident in Gujarat, India. The victims had consumed undiluted methyl alcohol (methanol), assuming it to be alcohol. The spurious liquor was then sold to more than 100 people in the villages of Ahmedabad, Botad and Surendranagar.

The Boksburg explosion took place on 24 December 2022, when a fuel tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exploded underneath a railway bridge in Boksburg, in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa, with a death toll of 41 people as of 18 January 2023. Nearby infrastructure was damaged by the explosion.

References

  1. 1 2 van Zyl, Corné (27 June 2022). "Enyobeni tavern tragedy: Why the death toll could rise [Update]". The South African. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Enyobeni tragedy: Tavern owner to face criminal charges – ECLB". The Citizen. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  3. "South Africa police try to unravel mystery of tavern deaths". BBC. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  4. "'Kuzofiwa' — a party invitation that foreshadowed deaths of 21 at Eastern Cape nightspot". Daily Maverick. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. "East London tavern 'foreshadowed' deaths – with tragic social media post". The South African. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 Eligon, John (26 June 2022). "At Least 20 Found Dead in South African Tavern, Officials Say". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 "'It wasn't my intention for this to happen': Enyobeni tavern owner". The Citizen. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Eastern Cape tavern death toll rises to 20". eNCA. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Six bodies remain unidentified after the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in East London". SABC NEWS. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  10. Maseko, Nomsa (27 June 2022). "SA tavern tragedy: I saw them fall one after another". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  11. "WATCH: East London tavern where 'around 20 people died' was packed to the rafters". The South African. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  12. "'Kuzofiwa' — a party invitation that foreshadowed deaths of 21 at Eastern Cape nightspot". Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  13. "Robbing the dead or badly injured a truly shocking crime". The Herald. 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  14. "'They robbed us while the children were dying'". Daily Dispatch. 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 "Enyobeni tavern survivors tell of horror story". Independent Online. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Enyobeni tavern tragedy: What we know so far". News24. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  17. "East London nightclub deaths: At least 20 people found dead in South African 'tavern'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  18. "At least 20 found dead in South Africa nightclub". BBC News. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  19. Johannesburg, Agence France-Presse in (26 June 2022). "Seventeen people found dead in South African nightclub". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  20. 1 2 "New details emerge after mysterious deaths of 21 teens partying at nightclub in South Africa: "I was running out of breath"". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  21. "At least 22 young people die in South African tavern". Reuters . Reuters. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  22. Rebane, Teele; Kourdi, Eyad (26 June 2022). "South Africa President says 22 killed in South African tavern incident". CNN . Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  23. 1 2 3 "Enyobeni tavern of death owner charged with selling liquor to the underaged". Daily Maverick. 29 June 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  24. "Youngest South Africa tavern victim 13 – minister". BBC. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  25. "South African police believe 21 dead at tavern likely consumed illicit substance". CBC. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  26. "Authorities rule out stampede as cause of death in Enyobeni tavern tragedy". Independent Online. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  27. Crane, Emily (29 June 2022). "21 teens found dead in South African nightclub may have been poisoned". New York Post. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  28. Dayimani, Malibongwe. "Tavern tragedy: Carbon monoxide poisoning suspected". News24. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  29. "Generator fumes 'highly unlikely' as cause of death at Enyobeni Tavern". DispatchLive. 29 June 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  30. "Government asks for more time to confirm Enyobeni Tavern tragedy cause of death". Independent Online. 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  31. "Methanol found in 21 teens who died in South Africa tavern". CBS News / Associated Press. 19 July 2022. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  32. Masinda, Ronald. "Scenery Park residents reject official cause of death of 21 teens at Enyobeni". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  33. "Enyobeni families locked in discussions with authorities over final cause of death". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  34. "E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges". SABC News. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  35. "SAPS far from concluding Enyobeni deaths case". The South African. 3 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  36. 1 2 Thom, Liezl; Winsor, Morgan (13 July 2022). "3 arrested in mysterious deaths of 21 teenagers at South African nightclub, police say". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  37. Vuso, Siphokazi. "Another delay in Enyobeni tragedy case". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  38. Jacobs, Yasmine (23 February 2024). "Enyobeni Tavern owners sentenced, ordered to pay fine of R5,000 each or spend 100 days in prison". IOL. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  39. "Govt confirms autopsies completed on 21 teens who died at Enyobeni tavern". Independent Online. 29 June 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  40. "Owner of East London 'death tavern' removes alcohol from premises under police guard". Daily Maverick. 1 July 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  41. "Inside Enyobeni Tavern Where 21 Teenagers Died". Eyewitness News. 1 July 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  42. "Enyobeni Tavern Deaths: Church Calls on Police to Provide Answers". Eyewitness News. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  43. "LIVE: Enyobeni Tragedy mass funeral". SABC News. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  44. "ENYOBENI TAVERN TRAGEDY: 'THERE MUST BE OUTRAGE WHEN SUCH THINGS HAPPEN' - KODWA". Eyewitness News. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  45. "Two of the Enyobeni Tavern victims to be buried on Wednesday". SABC News. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  46. "Government shouldn't have held 'fake' Enyobeni mass funeral with empty coffins, against wishes - EFF". News24. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  47. "eNyobeni's mass funeral drew criticism as last victim laid to rest on Sunday". SABC News. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  48. "Buffalo City Metro embarks on alcohol outlet safety campaign following eNyobeni tragedy". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. 11 July 2022. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  49. NEWS, SA LIVE (10 August 2022). "3 suspects accused of stealing Enyobeni tavern victim's belongings denied bail". South African Live News. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  50. "Call to enforce underage drinking laws after Enyobeni tavern tragedy". Independent Online. 30 June 2022. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.