Thulisile Mapongwana
The inquest into the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in Scenery Park in East London, where 21 young people died two years ago, sat this week hearing testimony from two former bouncers.
Former bouncer Siphamandla Dali testified that he periodically opened and closed the tavern’s main entrance to control the crowd. His testimony is pivotal in the inquest, as patrons previously reported that they shouted for help while suffocating but found the only accessible exit shut.
On the night of the tragedy, the Enyobeni Tavern was overcrowded, with patrons inhaling hot air and, according to some accounts, exposed to pepper spray, which worsened their breathing difficulties. Witnesses said several patrons fainted while standing, while the deceased lay upstairs and on the ground floor with white foam around their mouths.
Dali confirmed he closed the door at intervals, assisted by co-bouncer Thembisa Diko and another unnamed employee. However, Diko denied touching the door that night, stating her job was limited to searching patrons upon entry.
She did, however, admit to using pepper spray around 7 p.m. to control patrons pushing to get in. Dali claimed not to have witnessed pepper spray being used that night, although he noticed a canister in Diko's pocket. Meanwhile, tavern owner Siyakhangela Ndevu accused Diko of using the spray just before patrons began suffocating and fainting around 1 a.m.
Evidence leader Advocate Luvuyo Vena questioned Dali’s credibility, suggesting perjury, as Diko had testified about a staff meeting held after the incident in which employees allegedly agreed not to mention pepper spray use. Dali denied knowledge of such a meeting.
CCTV footage also placed Ndevu at the scene during the chaos, contradicting Dali's statement that Ndevu was called to the tavern and later went to the police station for help after unsuccessfully reaching them by phone. A police officer also disputed this account, testifying that a man from Emergency Services was the first to arrive at the station that night.
On-Site Inspection
On Tuesday, the court conducted an in-loco inspection at Enyobeni Tavern. Magistrate Mvuselelo Malindi, family attorney Vuyisile Magqabi, and Mawethu Nkebe, representing Diko, were present, led by Advocate Vena. The inspection aimed to officially examine the building’s layout, which has been said to have limited windows, ventilation issues, and non-compliance with building codes. During the inspection, Diko identified areas where bodies were found and indicated the windows patrons used to escape. She also pointed out the liquor sales area, which had its separate entrance with a door leading to the backyard.
Ntombizonke Mngangala, the aunt of one of the deceased, expressed unease after the inspection.
She noted that the tavern’s main entrance included a mechanism that locked the door from the inside when the upstairs area reached capacity, shedding light on why patrons couldn’t escape. "This is what we wanted to know," she said. "We were asking ourselves why our children couldn’t get out, and the door locking automatically shows there really was no way for them to escape."
Mngangala also questioned why none of the employees seemed affected by the suffocating conditions. Dali had testified that after seeing patrons faint, he retreated to the till area, which had a separate exit and a backdoor, where he waited with other employees for the situation to calm down.
“It’s clear that they [the staff] locked themselves in the till area and received enough fresh air from the backdoor,” Mngangala said. “Patron testimony shows no staff helped the kids; they were helping themselves. Whatever pepper spray or teargas was used, staff would spray it and then lock themselves away to avoid being affected.”
Demolition Order
The Buffalo City Metro’s court application to demolish Enyobeni Tavern was approved by the High Court in East London last week. While some see the demolition as a positive step, families of the victims have mixed feelings, advocating for the building to be repurposed as a community space instead.
In addition to the tragedy, the tavern also has a history of violence, with an attempted murder case previously filed in the East London Magistrates Court.
Siyakhangela Ndevu responded to the demolition decision, stating,
“I heard about the demolition on the radio, it was never brought to my attention. I will not challenge anything - that is my property. I built it with my money, so if they want to demolish, they must stop talking and demolish it.”
Reports indicate that the Ndevus operate at least two other taverns in the Eastern Cape.
The inquest will continue from November 18 to 22, with testimony expected from two more patrons, Eastern Cape Liquor Board officials, and Buffalo City Metro representatives regarding the tavern’s licensing and compliance.
