Witness says bouncer refused exit at Enyobeni Tavern on fateful day

Enyobeni Tavern patron and witness in the inquest into the death of the 21 young people at the premises, Nalo Mthizana has told the East London Regional Court sitting in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape that three people known to her died at the tavern including her friend, Inathi Nkani.

Mthizana says upon noticing that Nkani was unconscious, she pleaded with a bouncer at the tavern to open the door so that they could go home with the hope that Nkani would gain consciousness.

She alleges that the bouncer refused to allow them to go.

Mthizana agreed with details of the postmortem report that said a delay in reporting the disaster to emergency services and the use of pepper spray in a confined space were the contributing factors to the death of the 21 young people.

Meanwhile, last week, parents of the 21 young people who died said they are pleased with the manner in which 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.

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