South Africa Police Try to Unravel Tavern Deaths Tragedy After 21 Found Dead at Nightclub
A forensic team in South Africa has been going through the nightclub known as the Enyobeni Tavern to try to understand how 21 teenagers died under unexplained circumstances as they try to unravel what exactly took place.
There were no visible injuries on the bodies of the deceased found at the scene, the authorities have said, so a crush seems an unlikely explanation.
Sources have claimed that the victims were poisoned, but this is yet to be confirmed with any tangible evidence.
South Africa’s liquor board has said the owners of the tavern would face criminal charges after allegedly breaching licensing agreements.
Some family members of the victims have been gathering at the tavern to try and find out the latest news.
Among them was Xolile Malangeni. His 17-year-old daughter, Sinako, snuck out of her home on Saturday night but never returned.
“[She] always loved and took care of me when I was ill,” her father told the BBC with tears in his eyes.
The youngest of those who died was 13 and the oldest was 17, according to Police Minister Bheki Cele – but a detailed list of the victims has not yet been produced.
The minimum drinking age in South Africa is 18, so they should not have been allowed in.
