Thursday, February 22, 2024 – Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, the Enyobeni tavern owners that were found guilty of selling alcohol to teenagers at a fatal pens down party in June 2022, are expected to fight the court’s ruling.
The East London Regional Court found the pair guilty of selling
or supplying liquor to people under the age of 18.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali,
said the pair pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Tyali said Senior State Prosecutor (SPP) Thango Pangalela
led evidence of nine witnesses, including two minors who survived the tragic
event.
“The court agreed with SPP Pangalela's submission there was
no age restriction considered for access at Enyobeni, whatsoever and the owners
failed to take reasonable steps to ensure age restriction admission, in
contravention of the Eastern Cape Liquor Act,” Tyali said.
Tyali said the case is back in court on Friday for arguments
in aggravation and mitigation of sentence.
"Meanwhile, the formal inquest into the deaths of 21
young people at the Enyobeni Tavern is still to commence at the Mdantsane
Regional Court," Tyali said.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has welcomed the judgment, and
is calling for a hefty sentenced to be handed down to the couple.
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