The families of the 21 teenagers who died at the Enyobeni Tavern during a ‘pens down’ party in June 2022, in Scenery Park, Eastern Cape, have described the sentence given to the owners of the drinking establishment as a slap on the wrist.
Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, who appeared in the East London Regional Court on Friday, were sentenced to a R5 000 fine each or to spend 100 days in prison.
The pair was found guilty of selling alcohol to minors on Wednesday and were never charged with the murder of the children.
A father to one of the victims, Khululekile Ncandana, says they are disappointed with the sentence, adding that he believed that they would have been given the five-year maximum sentence for the charge.
Ncandana says the couple was not remorseful.
He says even though they were not liable for the death of the teenagers, the couple still needs to take responsibility because the tragedy that shocked South Africa happened at their establishment.
The Eastern Cape National Prosecution Authority’s spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, has also expressed disappointment with the sentence.
Delivering the sentence, Magistrate Kevin Von Bratt said while he understands that families are still hurting, the sentence is appropriate.
“I have been trying to balance all their interests as fairly as possible and considered the applications which have been made and the interest of the community,” said Von Bratt.
Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris
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