THE owner of Enyobeni tavern in East London, together with two employees, have been arrested.
This comes after the Eastern Cape Liquor Board’s (ECLB) decision to open criminal charges against the owner for contravention of the Liquor Act. The board has claimed that the owner broke the liquor law act by allowing minors into the tavern and selling alcohol to them.
The Scenery Park tavern is where 21 children, between the ages of 13 and 22, died from a yet-to-be-determined cause. The young people were buried in a mass funeral last Wednesday at Scenery Park Sports Field.
Police spokesman Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana confirmed that a 52-year-old suspect and two employees, aged 33 and 34, were arrested over the weekend and on Tuesday, 12 July, respectively.
“The arrest follows after the ECLB laid charges at Scenery Park Police Station for contravention of the Liquor Act. After a case was opened, a fine of R2 000 was issued to each of the two employees while a summons was served to the owner for his immediate arrest and appearance in court. The investigation also focused on the alleged violation of the Act by selling alcohol to children under the age of 18 years,” he said.
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“The owner is expected to appear in the East London Magistrates Court on 19 August. The employees have been given an option of a fine in terms of the Liquor Act and should they fail to pay, they will be required to appear in the same court,” said Kinana.
He further said police management had reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all investigations around the tragic incident were conducted in a professional and well-organised manner for successful prosecution and conviction.
“Forensic investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing. At the conclusion, results will be made available to the affected families,” said Kinana.
