Load shedding halts Enyobeni tavern trial again

The trial of the two Enyobeni tavern owners, accused of selling alcohol to minors on the night 21 people died in their establishment, is expected to continue on Wednesday.

Vuyokazi and Siyakhangela Ndevu appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where the case was rolled over due to load shedding.

Load shedding

This is the second time the Enyobeni tavern trial was abruptly brought to halt by load shedding after proceedings came to a standstill last month because the recording machines would not be functional during the rolling blackouts.

Speaking to The Citizen, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)‘s regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said they hope the trial can continue without any disruptions.

“The court belongs to the Department of Justice, so they are best placed to say the contingency plans they have in place. We only come there to litigate on behalf of the victims of crimes.”

Minor

Tyali also said the court had to be cleared when a minor, who was at the tavern on the night of the tragedy, testified in court.

“What happened yesterday is that the minor who by law in terms of the Child Justice Act was giving evidence. So, when that happened, you cannot have a minor who’s younger than 18 years old testifying in front of cameras.

“The only instruction that the court gave yesterday was that the media and the public must leave the court so that the minor could give evidence. It was only in relation to one witness,” Tyali said.

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Chaos

Tyali, said the boy had witnessed the chaos unfold on the night of the tragedy.

“The significance of his testimony is that the incident happened in his presence. And, whatever happened there, it was first-hand information to him,” Tyali said.

Twenty-one children, between the ages of 14 and 17, tragically died while attending the close-of-school event in June last year.

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