Complaints about Enyobeni Tavern were ignored, resident tells court

A state witness testifying in the East London Regional Court painted a picture of Scenery Park after the deaths of 21 young people at the Enyobeni Tavern on June 26 last year left the community and country reeling.

“I can sleep peacefully now,” the first state witness to testify, Mncedisi George Kwinana, said.

The 67-year-old was testifying in the trial of tavern manager Siyakhangela Owen Ndevu and his wife, tavern owner Vuyokazi Ndevu, who are accused of selling alcohol to underage children. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Kwinana spoke of a chaotic neighbourhood where noisy tavern patrons extended their weekend revelling by trespassing in neighbouring yards, urinating, dumping empty bottles and engaging in sex.

Kwinana told the court he had once complained to Siyakhangela about his patrons doing as they pleased in his yard.

“I called Ndevu one Saturday and showed him.

“He asked why I’m not fencing my yard.

“I was not the only one experiencing this. We met as residents and resolved to call him to a meeting,” Kwinana said.

The gallery, packed with some of the victims’ relatives, nodded in agreement as Kwinana testified.

Kwinana said Siyakhangela did not honour the residents’ invitation.

“We decided to go and report to the police, and had that meeting with them and the Liquor Board.

“We were asked that each household write an affidavit detailing what we didn’t like and we sent the affidavits to the police.

“We waited for the police and Liquor Board, as they promised to come again or call us.”

Kwinana said among their complaints was that the tavern operated until about 4am.

He said the Ndevus did not care about the residents and ignored their complaints.

“All weekends it [the tavern] was full.

“I would hear music from the tavern, but there would also be music played in the cars parked near our yards.

“While waiting for a response from the police, the sad incident took place. “I was home that night. “I heard screaming that children were dying.

“I stood on the veranda and saw children being taken to vans in body bags until the morning.

“Since the closure of the tavern the area is quiet.”

Kwinana said he used to go to the tavern but had stopped after he noticed “young children” frequenting it.

During cross-examination by the Ndevus’ attorney, Precious Daniels, Kwinana said the couple had opened their tavern in about 2011.

“Before Enyobeni, there was no loitering,” he said.

The trial will continue on May 23.

The state is expected to call two Liquor Board employees, Nontsikelelo Nokhele and Phumlani Tyali.

Outside the court, relatives of the victims broke down in tears.

Zonke Mgangala, the aunt of one of the victims, Sinothando Mgangala, said the families were relieved the trial had started.

“We feel there is light now at the end of the tunnel, however small it is.”