The inquest into the tragic deaths of 21 young people at the Enyobeni Tavern in June 2022 is set to continue today at the East London Regional Court, sitting in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape. More patrons are expected to take the stand to testify about the events leading up to the deadly incident.
The previous sitting of the inquest concluded with testimony from Siphamandla Dali, a former bouncer at the tavern. Dali, who was on duty the night of the tragedy alongside colleague Thembisa Diko, spoke about efforts to manage overcrowding inside the venue. He denied seeing any pepper spray being used during the chaos, but Diko admitted to using the spray to disperse the crowd.
The use of pepper spray has been a focal point in the inquest, with some witnesses suggesting it may have contributed to the panic and confusion that led to the suffocation deaths of the young victims. The cause of death has been confirmed as suffocation.
The court also conducted an in loco inspection of the now-closed Enyobeni Tavern, where it is alleged that inadequate ventilation and a single entry and exit point may have played a role in the tragic loss of life. The findings from this inspection, along with the testimonies of patrons and other witnesses, are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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