No one objected to granting Enyobeni tavern a licence, says liquor board
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) said no objections were received over their decision to grant a liquor licence to Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park 10 years ago. The tavern was compliant when its application for licensing was approved.
This comes in the wake of criticism of the board for its decision to grant a licence to the tavern where 21 young people died early on Sunday.
The Dispatch reported on Wednesday that the tavern’s building alterations were done without approval from Buffalo City Municipality.
“There was no building plan approved and therefore the building was constructed illegally and in contravention of the National Building Regulations & Building Standards Act,” city spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said.
Some accused the ECLB of not inspecting the premises before and after the licensing.
On Tuesday, the ECLB opened a criminal case against tavern owner Vuyokazi Ndevu for allowing underage people to drink on the premises.
ECLB spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya said the tavern owner had lodged an application in 2011 for “on and off consumption”.
“On December 12 2011, ECLB gazetted the notice of the application to the public, including the category of registration applied for, and the address of the proposed outlet in the Eastern Cape Provincial Gazette.
“This public advertisement is twofold; first to inform the public, including government entities, of the pending application and second to solicit any objections to the liquor licence application. No objections were received,” Msiya said.
Msiya said the community of Scenery Park had been consulted during the licensing process. The building had been inspected before and after licensing, he added.
“There was submission of two community consultation reports to the ECLB, one from the then ward councillor and one from the then ward committee confirming that the community was consulted.
“There were no objections, and the application was supported.
“This mechanism is also designed to ensure that the local [municipality] is notified about the liquor licence application.
“It is key to note that the aspect of zoning, land use and approved building plans was not raised as an objection in the aforementioned reports.
“There is no expressed requirement for proof of zoning, land use or building plans to be submitted by the applicant to the ECLB,” Msiya said.
On Wednesday, Scenery Park community members gathered at the tavern for a candlelight remembrance of the victims.
Eastern Cape police have appealed to the public to allow experts, tasked with determining the cause of deaths, to do their work.
“The SAPS management in the Eastern Cape has expressed concerns about circulating rumours and media reports speculating on the cause of death in the tavern tragedy incident which occurred early on Sunday morning.
“As clearly articulated in the statement issued on Monday regarding the ongoing investigations, SAPS forensic investigators are still continuing with the investigation into the deaths of 21 children at Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park.
“After conducting an investigation in the building structure where the incident allegedly took place, and in the bodies where autopsies were conducted, all the exhibit specimens extracted were then taken to the forensic laboratory for toxicology examination.
“Until such time that the work of the forensic laboratory is concluded, any informal and unofficial information which is not released by police must be regarded as a falsehood and misleading to the public and the affected deceased families,” provincial police spokesperson Brig Thembinkosi Kinana said.
Provincial commissioner Ltgen Nomthetheleli Mene said: “As indicated earlier, at an appropriate time and when an official report has been made available by the experts, the family and members of the public will be informed by the relevant authority.
“We urge people to refrain from making risky assumptions which do not assist our investigations.”
Anyone with information that can assist police in their investigation is requested to contact Brig Mxolisi Mqotyana on 082-529-2465.