Residents and family members outside the tavern in Scenery Park where 21 people died in the early hours of Sunday morning in East London
Police minister Bheki Cele broke down in tears outside a morgue where he had viewed the bodies of the children killed at a tavern in the Eastern Cape in the early hours of Sunday.
Cele confirmed that all those who had died in the Eyobeni tavern in Scenery Park, East London, were minors — aged between 13 and 17.
Earlier, police had said those who had died were between the ages of 18 and 20.
While the death toll had earlier been put at 20, the number had increased to 21 by Sunday afternoon. The cause of the tragedy has not yet been determined.
As Cele cried, families who had gathered at the morgue also broke down, some in disbelief, as they waited to be let into the premises to identify their children.
The Daily Dispatch had earlier reported that initial speculation was that the patrons were exposed to some form of poison as none of the bodies had any visible injuries.
The publication reported that bodies were lying strewn across tables, chairs and on the floor.
Officials have since revealed they were still waiting for some families of the deceased to come forward and identify and claim their bodies.
Addressing community members outside the tavern earlier, Cele said a forensic team from Pretoria had been brought in to assist with investigations.
Cele said they initially received reports that a stampede had occurred but said evidence on the scene ruled this theory out.
“But I cannot disclose to you what happened until I have been told by the investigating team.”
He however pointed out some faults they found at the tavern, including the fact that it had only one entry and exit point, was in a residential area and was seemingly open to underage children.
“We need to come back to this area to see what is happening in the shebeens and not only come back once they have killed our kids.
“We need to check if they adhere to the laws but that is on us as police to ensure this happens. The call is on the government as the liquor board, the municipalities and the parents to ensure their kids are well. The call is on the community to say we can’t allow our kids to die,” Cele added.
The owner of the tavern, Siyakhangela Ngevu, earlier told eNCA he was not present when the incident happened.
