[imagesource:here]

In June, 21 teenagers aged between 13 and 18 died under mysterious circumstances at Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park, East London. 17 teenagers died on the scene, and four later died after being taken to hospital.

Survivors told horror stories of being trapped inside and days after the incident, sources close to the investigation said carbon monoxide poisoning linked to the use of a petrol generator inside the venue was the likely cause.

That was rubbished by officials and it was promised that a full-scale investigation was underway. The biggest point of frustration soon became the numerous delays in the investigation, with parents repeatedly talking about stalling tactics on the part of the Department of Health.

Things came to a head yesterday following a meeting between parents and officials, reports The Daily Maverick:

[Parents] were told in private meetings with officials on Thursday that their children had died after being suffocated and “crushed” due to overcrowding.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health refused the bereaved families access to written post-mortem results that detailed the injuries to their children…

This is at odds with information released in July when officials said that preliminary toxicology results showed the presence of methanol in the teenagers’ blood.

At that time, parents were told that further results would clarify if methanol poisoning was the cause of the tragedy, but there has been no mention of this since.

A forensic pathologist had previously said the initial autopsy report ruled out a stampede related to overcrowding as a possible cause of death.

What is being hidden and who is hiding it? Health department officials are refusing to publicly comment on the written post-mortem results, citing legal advice cautioning them against making any statements.

A relative of one of the victims, Ntombbizonke Mgangala, said the uncertainty is causing great pain to bereaving families:

“I have more questions. They promised us that they are going to give us written reports, but now they say we are not allowed to get written reports. They told us we must apply for it.

Image: Malibongwe Dayimani / News24

“We are not going to rest until we get the right answers. Something is going on. We are not going to let it go. We are going to ask for legal assistance… take a stand. We are going to do something about it.”

It’s believed that parents are considering legal action in order to be granted access to the final post-mortem report.

Xolani Malangeni, the father of 16-year-old Esinako Sanarhana, who died in the tragedy, was more forthright when speaking to News24:

“They are talking shit,” he said, adding: “If these kids crushed each other to death, why did they die in different locations? Other children died in hospital. Can they explain [why] there were no visible physical injuries to prove the stampede claims?”

In order to access the document, parents need to make an application in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Siyanda Manana stressed that there is “nothing sinister” about denying parents access to the full report at this time.

Parents who have been waiting months for answers appear to strongly disagree.

[sources:dailymav&news24]