The owner of Enyobeni tavern, together with two staff workers have been arrested following the deaths of 21 teenagers last month.
Brigadier Bembinkosi Kinana said the 52-year-old owner and staff, aged 33 and 34, were arrested at the weekend and on Tuesday afternoon by a team of detectives working on the Scenery Park tragedy, when patrons collapsed and died on June 26.
The arrests come after the Eastern Cape Liquor Board laid charges for contravention of the Liquor Act. The police are investigating the alleged violation of the of the act for selling and supplying teenagers who are under the restricted age of 18 years with alcohol.
“The tavern owner is expected to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on the 19th of August to face the said charges. The two staff workers have been given the option of a fine in terms of the Liquor Act. Should they fail to pay the fine, they will be required to appear in the same court on the 19th of August,” he said.
The cause of death of the youth has not been shared. It was alleged that a poisonous substance coming from the generator might have been the cause of death, but it has not been confirmed.
“Forensic investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing. As indicated earlier, at an appropriate time and conclusion of the investigation, the results will be made available to the affected families. There are no new developments at this stage,” Kinana said.