A survivor of the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy has told how he was robbed while lying trapped between the bodies of youngsters who had collapsed in the Scenery Park drinking spot in the early hours of Sunday.
The 17-year-old boy spent three days in East London’s Frere Hospital after he was admitted in the aftermath of the chaos.
A senior police official has confirmed that police are also investigating complaints of robbery on the night 21 teenagers, aged 13 to 17, died.
Their cause of death is expected to be established once toxicology tests have been concluded.
The teenager told the Dispatch he had been robbed of his watch, shoes and hat by thugs who took him for dead.
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Several photographs that have circulated online in the aftermath of the tragedy showed the bodies of children lying inside the tavern without shoes.
The boy, who is in grade 11, suffered a foot injury during the commotion.
“I do not drink alcohol, but I went to the tavern with my friends to enjoy myself.
“We heard there was a celebration of the conclusion of the June exams,” the survivor told the Dispatch.
“There was a fight inside the tavern that started as a dispute outside.
“The fight took place on the top floor of the tavern.
“I was not part of the fight but someone pushed me and I fell on top of other four people.
“When I was trying to wake up, some of the guys who were fighting fell over me,” the survivor said.
He said when he was trying to free himself, some men had arrived in the area where he was trapped.
“I was kicked and someone held his foot on my chest.
“I screamed 'ndicela nindincede' (please help me) but no-one came. They started robbing me of my watch, hat and shoes.
“I then lost conscious and only woke up at Frere Hospital,” the boy said.
He is undergoing psychological counselling to deal with depression as a result of the tragedy.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print on the youngster’s robbery claims.
In a statement earlier this week, Kinana said investigations were continuing.
“The SAPS appeals to anyone who may share information that can assist the ongoing investigation to please make contact with Brigadier Mxolisi Mqotyana at 082-529-2465,” he said.
Kinana said the results of the autopsies to determine the cause of deaths would be released once they had been completed.
“After conducting investigations in the building structure where the incident took place, and on the bodies where autopsies were conducted, all the exhibit specimens extracted were then taken to the forensic laboratory for toxicology examination.
“Until the work of the forensic laboratory is concluded, any informal and unofficial information which is not released by the SA Police Service, must be regarded as falsehood and misleading to the public and the affected deceased families,” Kinana said.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has revoked the tavern’s licence and lodged a criminal complaint against the owner for allegedly allowing minors to drink on the premises.
This week, members the clergy and the community held candlelight vigils in the area for the victims.
A memorial service is scheduled to take place in Scenery Park on Saturday and a mass funeral will be held on Wednesday.
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