Cape Town - Families of the Enyobeni tavern victims have lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), calling for an independent inquiry into the deaths of their children.
The bodies of the teenagers, the youngest aged 13, were discovered by police at the tavern in Scenery Park, East London, in June.
The 21 youngsters are believed to have suffocated to death due to overcrowding inside the tavern, according to media reports, as official results into the cause of death were not made public.
Ntombizonke Mgangala, who lost her niece, Sinothando Mgangala, said they want justice and those responsible to be held accountable.
“We were contacted by the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa (Saapa SA), that lodged the complaint on our behalf.
“We gave them the go-ahead because we want justice and for whoever is responsible for the death of our children to be held responsible. We also feel the case is not handled well, for example, up until today no one has been charged for the deaths of our kids.
“The only thing that the Enyobeni owners are charged for is selling alcohol to underage children. As much as this is also important, to us, it is not as important as the souls that are lost; we feel the deaths should be the first priority.
“We also do not know what led to the deaths of our children. It’s almost six months now. We feel that at least there should be some information by now. We feel that our rights have been compromised,” said Mgangala.
Saapa SA communications manager Terri-Liza Fortein said they lodged a complaint with the SAHRC in June and were still awaiting feedback.
“We have engaged with the parents and continue to engage with them to offer our support to ensure that there is accountability and that alcohol legislation is strengthened.
It is also critical that current legislation is enforced to prevent another tragedy like this. Alcohol harm must be reduced in South Africa and the government must prioritise this matter,” said Fortein.
SAHRC provincial manager Dr Eileen Carter said they had received the complaints.
“We have consolidated their matter into our broader investigation with the existing concerns.
That process is still ongoing, we will be combining the new complaints into our existing concerns,” said Carter.
The case against Enyobeni tavern owner Vuyokazi Ndevu and her husband Siyakwamkela Ndevu has been postponed to November 25.
They are charged with two offences of selling or supplying intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 and responsibility for permitting employees and agents to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
Cape Times