The East London Regional Court sitting in Mdantsane is expected to deliver judgment on Friday in the long-running Enyobeni Tavern inquest, which is investigating the deaths of 21 young people in June 2022.
The inquest aims to determine whether any individual or individuals should be held criminally liable for the tragedy that claimed the lives of the teenagers and young adults at the Scenery Park tavern.
The proceedings have heard testimony from witnesses, experts, police investigators, forensic specialists and the families of the victims over several months. Final arguments were concluded earlier this year, paving the way for the court’s findings.
The court’s judgment is expected to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to recommend criminal prosecutions against any of the parties implicated during the inquest.
The Enyobeni Tavern tragedy on 26 June 2022 shocked South Africa and sparked widespread calls for accountability, stricter enforcement of liquor laws and greater protection of children from underage drinking. Twenty-one young people, aged between 13 and 21, lost their lives during the incident.
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