The owners of the Enyobeni tavern, Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, have been fined R5,000 each or 100 days in jail after being found guilty of selling alcohol to minors.
The sentencing was delivered at the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
This case follows the tragic incident in 2022 where 21 young people died at the tavern during a celebration marking the end of mid-year exams.
Magistrate Kevin von Bratt, while sentencing, explained that the trial focused only on the breach of the Liquor Act and not directly on the deaths of the 21 victims, aged from 14 to 20.
He explained the difficulty in considering how much the Ndevus knew about alcohol being sold to underage customers that night but confirmed that evidence proved at least one minor was sold alcohol.
Von Bratt added the tragedy could have been avoided if oversight had been provided by management.
The case now moves towards a formal inquest to investigate the specifics of what happened on the night of the tragedy.
No official causes of death have been publicly released.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Enyobeni tavern owners Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu.
Image source: X
