Police confirm the arrest of Enyobeni tavern owner and two employees after Eastern Cape Liquor Board opened a case at the Scenery Park police station for Contravention of the Liquor Act. Following the deaths of 21 teenagers last month, a stampede was ruled out and an arrest of the 52-year-old tavern owner took place.

Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said the 52-year-old owner and the two staff members, aged 33 and 34, were arrested at the weekend and on Tuesday afternoon. Police are investigating violation or contravention of the Liquor act by the owner, for the selling or providing of alcohol to under age children The cause of death has still not been released, explaining why bodies of the 21 teenagers were found in the early hours of Sunday morning after a night of partying.

The tavern owner is expected to make an appearance in the East London magistrate’s court on August 19 and the two employees are given an option to pay a fine in terms of the act, and will be required to appear in the same court should they fail to pay the fine.

Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene of Eastern Cape, called for patience from families and communities. “Just as we said in the beginning, investigation is a process and needs to be treated with extreme care and wisdom so that we can achieve the desired outcomes. This is the beginning of work we are doing behind the scene,” Mene said. Brigadier Kinana also said results will be made available to the families of the 21 victims “at an appropriate time and conclusion of the investigation”.