The owner of the Enyobeni tavern and two employees were arrested this past weekend and yesterday.

The tavern owner is expected to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on August 19 for contraventions of the Liquor Act.

A total of 17 people, some of them minors, were found dead in the tavern on June 26 – Four people also later died in hospital

The cause of their deaths is not yet known.

The arrest of the 52 year old suspect and two employees aged between 33 and 34, follows after the Eastern Cape Liquor Board laid charges in Scenery Park Police Station for contravention of the Liquor Act.

After the opening of the case by Liquor Board, the investigators embarked on the investigation process which resulted to fines to the amount of R2000 being issued to each of the two tavern employees, whilst summons were served to the owner for his immediate arrest and appearance in the court of law.

Among others, the investigation also focused on alleged violation or contravention of the Eastern Cape Liquor Act by permitting or conniving for the selling or supplying of alcohol to children under the age of 18 years and for selling or supplying of alcohol to children under the age of 18 years

The two employees have been given an 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 August 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has expressed gratitude at the patience shown by both affected families and communities alike.

“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 which all of us will be proud of. This is the beginning of the great work we are doing behind the scene.”

Forensic investigation into the cause of death of the 21 youth in Enyobeni tavern, is still ongoing.