The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has served the Razzmatazz tavern in Hofmeyr with a notice to close after three patrons — two of them underage girls — died on Christmas Day.
The cause of death is still under investigation, but it is alleged that a substance was sprayed inside the tavern.
The victims — aged 15, 17 and 25 — were reportedly trampled as they tried to flee the area. They died inside the tavern.
The person who allegedly sprayed the substance was still at large on Tuesday afternoon.
Ten people, including four minors, were taken to Cradock Hospital presenting symptoms of dizziness, headache and coughing.
One has been transferred to Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha in a serious condition.
We could still smell those fumes when we arrived. We hope law enforcement will assist us to bring all those responsible for this to book
The 36-year-old tavern manager has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Tarkastad magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said the manager faced charges of selling liquor to minors and allowing minors to drink at his establishment.
The incident took place at Twinsville shortly before midnight.
One of the family members to one of the minors said they were still coming to terms with the death of their child.
“I was woken up by a person who said there was another Enyobeni at Razzmatazz.
“I immediately took my car and found young people coughing, some lying around.
“Unfortunately my cousin sister was already dead when I arrived. This is so painful.
“We could still smell those fumes when we arrived. We hope law enforcement will assist us to bring all those responsible for this to book,” he said.
According to the Liquor Board, the tavern is licensed and has been in operation since 1998.
Our concern is that there were minors inside the tavern. They were not supposed to be there in the first place
ECLB spokesperson Dr Mgwebi Msiya said they were extremely disappointed by the incident.
“Our concern is that there were minors inside the tavern,” he said.
“They were not supposed to be there in the first place.
“Even though the tavern is licensed, we feel that liquor outlet was not compliant with relevant legislation, but the police investigation continues.
“We thought liquor traders had learnt a lesson from the Enyobeni tavern tragedy.
“We are aggrieved that there are still liquor outlets allowing minors to drink in taverns.
“We are calling on liquor outlets to adhere to their trading conditions or else we will close those establishments,” he said.
The Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park, East London, made international headlines in June when 21 young people — most of them underage — died.
Months after the tragedy, authorities told families that the cause of death had been suffocation as a result of overcrowding at the tavern.
The SA Human Rights Commission in the Eastern Cape is investigating possible human rights violations relating to the Enyobeni tavern tragedy.
Economic development MEC Mlungisi Mvoko, who visited the Razzmatazz tavern, said on Tuesday: “We are very concerned about the deaths of young people, particularly in a tavern.
“After visiting the tavern, I also had an opportunity to visit the families of the deceased. We also had a community meeting.
“My message to the people is that the police and the liquor board will not deal with this situation successfully unless [there is] co-operation from the community.
“Police might come to the tavern and chase away the minors, but if the community and managers of the tavern do not take a stand, the efforts will be in vain.
“People selling alcohol also need to play a role and not give liquor to [minors].”
Kinana said: “A preliminary report suggests that the incident was reported to the local police after [the victims] were allegedly sprayed with an unknown substance in the tavern.
“The circumstances, including the cause of death of the victims, will form part of the investigation.
“We do not want to make any speculations on the incident, to safeguard the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
“Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the incident, is requested to please make contact with the Hofmeyr police station or call the crime stop number 08600-10111.”
Enoch Mgijima local municipality spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa said the municipality was shocked and saddened by the incident.
“The grief of the parents and families of those who have lost their lives cannot be compared to anything,” Kowa said.
“As the municipality we send our heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased.
“We are hopeful that law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned [in investigating the incident].
“We call upon liquor outlets to comply with l liquor trading laws. This will keep our communities safe.
“The municipality has been informed of the incident and the ward councillor and officials are giving the required support,” Kowa said.
He said a formal visit by the municipality’s executive mayor, Madoda Papiyana, and his mayoral committee would be made on Friday.
Families were expected to visit Komani’s government mortuary on Wednesday to identify the victims.
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