THE first state witness in the case against married couple, Vuyokazi and Siyakhangela Ndevu, took the stand in the East London Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 25 April.
The couple is accused of selling alcohol to minors.
They were charged in June 2022 after 21 youngsters died under mysterious circumstances in their tavern in Scenery Park, Eastern Cape.
They are charged with two offences of selling or supplying intoxicating liquor to people under the age of 18 and responsibility for conniving with and permitting employees and agents to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18.
They have pleaded not guilty to both charges.
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Neighbour Mncedisi Khwinana (67) took the stand before the court adjourned the matter to 23 and 24 May for the testimony of more state witnesses.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luxolo Tyali said: “Another leg of the case is still under investigation by the police, which is prosecutor guided.”
He said the NPA views the case in a serious light and assigned senior prosecutors to guide the investigations.
“The families of the young children, some under age, the affected community and South Africans at large, are anxious to see justice served for their children who died in such tragic circumstances.
"The NPA is committed to a victim-centered approach that prioritises justice for crimes committed against the most vulnerable in our society, especially women and children," said Tyali.
He said that the NPA will continue to keep the families of the deceased informed of any new developments.
