File
East London police have arrested four people for allegedly stealing the belongings of the victims of the Enyobeni Tavern Tragedy last month.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, said the four males were arrested on Thursday and Friday this week as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragedy.
He said the suspects are aged between 16 and 21 and would appear in court on Monday.
“The arrests are a sequel to the investigation which started immediately after the reported deaths of 21 children in the tavern. The cause of death is yet to be established after the final results are made available from the forensic laboratory,” he said.
Kinana said the 16-year-old has been placed in the care of his parents in terms of the Child Justice Act which he said stipulates that an underage child may not be detained in the police cells.
Police recovered stolen shoes, weaves, clothes, and a watch belonging to some of the children who died during the incident.
“Some of the stolen items have been positively identified by families whilst others are yet to be identified. They were recovered in the homes of the suspects,” Kinana said.
He said cases of theft, the possession of the suspected stolen property, and defeating the ends of Justice have been registered for further investigation.
“The arrested suspects are not linked to the death of 21 children, as there is no evidence to suggest their involvement at this stage. The investigation into establishing the cause of death is still underway.
“At the right time, the affected families will be informed,” Kinana said.
