A DEFENCE witness is expected to testify in the Enyobeni Tavern trial, resuming on Tuesday, 24 October in the East London Regional Court.
This comes after the state finalised its case in April. Detective Captain Gerhard Swart was the last witness during the trial.
The prosecution presented evidence from various sources, including a neighbour, witnesses present at the establishment during the incident, Eastern Cape Liquor Board officials, and CCTV footage from the establishment on the fateful night of 26 June 2022.
Siyakhangela Ndevu and his wife, Vuyokazi Ndevu, are on trial on charges of contravening the Liquor ACT after 21 young patrons died in their Scenery Park tavern.
They've pleaded not guilty to both charges. The trial has been set down for two days, 24 and 25 October.
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An inquest into the deaths of the 21 young people at the tavern is concurrently underway at the East London Regional Court.
The inquest has been remanded for the state to provide the docket content to the court and legal representative of the parties.
NPA spokesman Luxolo Tyali said: "On 17 April, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Barry Madolo, decided that an inquest be held by a Regional Court magistrate to establish if anyone can be held criminally liable, by commission or omission for the deaths.
"At this moment, it's unclear what caused the incident and hence the state declined to prosecute. The matter is referred for formal inquest, which is inquisitorial by nature, not accusatorial. Witnesses, including experts, witnesses and the owners of Enyobeni Tavern are expected to give evidence."
