• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home South Africa

Six bodies remain unidentified after the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in East London

27 June 2022, 1:05 PM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
[File photo] Embalmer Mary Evans prepares the body of a person who died.

[File photo] Embalmer Mary Evans prepares the body of a person who died.

Image: Reuters

[File photo] Embalmer Mary Evans prepares the body of a person who died.

The process of identifying the bodies of the 21 people who died in the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in East London is underway. The tavern remains closed while the investigation continues.

Police spokesperson Brig Thembinkosi Kinana says not all the bodies have been identified yet.

“The death toll is still standing at 21 however, six bodies remain unidentified in the local mortuary an appeal is made to the parents and relatives who may have not seen their children since the past weekend to please make time to make an inquiry by the mortuary. We are also calling on those parents whose children may have survived to please visit hospitals for medical checkups.”

Police say the investigation team is still on site piecing together the events leading up to the tragedy. “The SAPS requests to be given sufficient space and time to conclude the investigation. At an appropriate time, a formal statement on the outcome of the investigation will be made by the relevant authority. We have not made any arrests at this stage,” Kinana adds.

East London Tavern Tragedy | Details of shocking, heartbreaking tragedy: Abongile Jantjies updates

Overcrowding

The entertainment manager of Enyobeni Tavern, Promise Matinise, says there was a lack of manpower to deal with the overcrowding at the establishment.

Matinise says some patrons even forced their way into the tavern. He says they did everything possible to try and control the situation.

“We did everything we could to make sure that everyone is safe here but when it started to be overcrowed we lost control and our capacity could not accommodate everyone. We did not know what to do so we could not control the commotion a lot of people arrived here from other places and they were drunk. We tried to control it so we do not know what happened because we’ve always hosted events here we did not expect people to die.”

 Enyobeni tavern entertainment manager Promise Matinise speaks to SABC: 

Enyobeni operating hours

A man who lives near the Enyobeni tavern, George Kwinana, says the establishment seemingly cared little for operating hours. Kwinana says he has witnessed overcrowding at the tavern before which created problems for the people who live nearby. At least 21 people, mainly teenagers, died in the early hours of Sunday morning inside the tavern.

“The shebeen runs till the early hours of the morning. We hardly sleep on weekends coz it gets packed, they even spill into our yards. When we confront the owner he says he does chase the kids away but they won’t leave.”

More questions on Enyobeni Tavern structural plans 

The South African Council of Churches ( SACC) has raised questions over whether the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality had approved the initial structural plans for the Enyobeni Tavern.

The SACC’s General Secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana says, “There are several questions that need to be asked about the specifications and what could have happened. When you hear that there was one door for exit, how does that happen? The rule of law must apply in our society. These regulations of the EC say there must be a structural floor plan to be used for liquor trading clearly showing each room, all doors and windows and means of external and internal communication. Where was this in this place? It is not clear. Proof of approval by the relevant local municipality – didn’t the municipality give permission for this shebeen?”

SACC’s General Secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana weighs in:  

Share article
Tags: Enyobeni tavern tragedyEast London
Previous Post

At least 26 killed in attack in South-West Cameroon: Medical officer

Next Post

Questions raised regarding whether Buffalo City approved initial Enyobeni Tavern structural plans

Related Posts

Image of a flooded area in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.

Mabuyane to visit Port St Johns after heavy rains

25 March 2023, 9:38 AM
An infectious disease specialist intern, analyses an X-ray of 24-year-old patient, who is currently undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. [File image]

SANAC concerned that TB remains number one killer in SA

25 March 2023, 7:26 AM
People wade through a flooded area

COGTA says situation in Port St Johns remains dire due to inclement weather

24 March 2023, 9:23 PM
Illegal firearms on a table.

KZN police concerned about illegal firearms being used in brutal killings

24 March 2023, 9:20 PM
Deputy President 
 Paul Mashatile
during the World TB Day commemoration and launch of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs, Tlhabane Stadium, Rustenberg

South Africa one of 30 high TB-burdened countries

24 March 2023, 5:43 PM
Suspects in the 2019 murder of ANC Mogalakwena councilor, Valtyn Kekana & Ralph Kanyane

Trial of five accused in suspected political murders in Mokopane set for October

24 March 2023, 4:27 PM
Next Post
Police Minister Bheki Cele says the deceased are aged between 13 and 17.

Questions raised regarding whether Buffalo City approved initial Enyobeni Tavern structural plans

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Unions set the record refute wage settlement agreement reports
  • UPDATE | Court hears evidence regarding Zuma’s medical records
  • SABC News crew attacked on N2 while monitoring protests
  • BREAKING | EFF members arrested after clashes with police in Braamfontein Sunday night
  • Police making progress in AKA’s murder case
  • Corporates prepare for a possible national blackout
  • Unions set the record refute wage settlement agreement reports
  • UPDATE | Court hears evidence regarding Zuma’s medical records
  • SABC News crew attacked on N2 while monitoring protests
  • Wits SRC sued
  • Medvedev warns that arresting Putin would be a declaration of war
  • Port St Johns residents plead for aid after major floods
  • Zondo blames poor municipal performance on incompetent and unskilled people
  • Liberia hold Bafana Bafana to a 2-All draw at Orlando Stadium
  • Makro workers march for higher pay, demanding a 6.5% wage hike

LATEST

Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal. Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v AS Monaco - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - December 12, 2021.
  • Sport

Captain Mbappe at the double as stylish France thrash Netherlands


Image of a flooded area in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.
  • South Africa

Mabuyane to visit Port St Johns after heavy rains


An infectious disease specialist intern, analyses an X-ray of 24-year-old patient, who is currently undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. [File image]
  • South Africa

SANAC concerned that TB remains number one killer in SA


Sudanese refugee, Awadhya Hasan Amine, reacts during a protest asking for evacuation, outside the headquarters of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in Tunis, Tunisia March 22, 2023.
  • Africa

African migrants stuck in Tunisia say racism persists after crackdown


The union members will picket outside Makro stores across the country for ten days.
  • Business

SACCAWU accuses Massmart of dismissing workers for participating in strike


bafana
  • Sport
  • Soccer

Liberia hold Bafana Bafana to a 2-All draw at Orlando Stadium


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous At least 26 killed in attack in South-West Cameroon: Medical officer
Next Questions raised regarding whether Buffalo City approved initial Enyobeni Tavern structural plans