Enyobeni Tavern victims’ parents pleased with the handling of inquest

Parents of the 21 young people who died at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park in East London in the Eastern Cape say they are pleased with the manner that the inquest into the death of their children is being handled.

The inquest into the death of the young people follows the parents’ rejection of the autopsy report that stated that their children died of asphyxiation (not getting enough oxygen).

Since the start of the inquest, various witnesses including patrons at the tavern and former employees have taken to the stand to testify about the events of that fateful day.

This past week, survivors of the tragedy and employees at the tavern took to the stand to elaborate on the manner in which people died.

Last week, patron Siphiwe Tshabalala and former employee Ntandazo Maqoma took the witness stand.

Tshabalala told the court that she regrets attending the event planned at Enyobeni Tavern on the night, and that she was convinced by her friends to go.

She further testified that one of her friends, Inathi Nkani who she came with, lost her life on the said day.

Meanwhile, Maqoma has told the court that underaged patrons were present inside and outside the venue.

He told the court when bouncers were not able to handle the crowds he also tried but in vain.

Maqoma also told the court that they did turn way other underaged patrons but they never left, instead they sat at outside tables at the tavern.

Parents of the 21 victims say the inquest is drawing them a picture of what really happened to their children.

Parent, Ntombizonke Mgangala says, “The proceedings are still going good for us as parents, remember we were in the dark. At least now they are giving us a clue of what had happened [at] Enyobeni that led to the death of our children.”

“So far they are still going well, even with the witnesses that they have testified, [they] are giving us at least a little bit of clue as to what happened.”

The video below is reporting more on the story