Police are investigating a Beacon Bay tavern owner for violating trading hours after two men – one a teenager – were killed inside his drinking place early on Monday morning.
Police said Zongezo Mbani, 17, and Tobani Kolisi, 27, were stabbed to death by two men after a fight broke out.
One of the men, 18-year-old Philasande Bistoni, also from Nompumelelo, was arrested at the scene and charged with the murders.
A second accomplice managed to evade arrest and is still at large.
Bistoni appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. His case was postponed until Monday for a formal bail application.
The Club 21 Tavern in Nompumelelo township is owned by businessman Derick Tolbat, and was supposed to have closed on Sunday at 11pm.
However, patrons were allegedly still allowed to party and drink until into the early hours of Monday morning.
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the two men were murdered at 2am.
As a result, the owner was ordered to cease operations this week to allow police liquor inspectors to conduct their investigation relating to the violation of trading hours.
Tolbat was only allowed to open for business yesterday although an inquiry was still ongoing.
The Saturday Dispatch found the place operating as normal when it visited the premises yesterday.
The scene had been cleaned up and about eight patrons were sitting and drinking with one saying “what happened that morning was terrible”.
Until yesterday, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board was not aware of the incident.
Spokesman of the board Mgwebi Msiya said: “As a regulator we are very concerned by such non-compliance. While this matter is in the hands of the police, the board will also undertake its own investigation.”
Tolbat yesterday declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
Zongezo’s mother, Victoria Mbani, said she was called to the scene at 3am and when she arrived, found police circling her son’s body inside the tavern.
Kolisi’s parents were said to be living in Needs Camp where they have already collected the body from the Woodbrook state mortuary.
Mqala said the arrest of the second suspect was imminent as he was known in the community.
The board has now introduced a toll-free line (0800-000-420) through which community members can report violations of trading hours by liquor licence holders.
Msiya announced yesterday that as part of their readiness for the festive season, the board has acquired 15 new vehicles to strengthen enforcement of liquor regulations.
The vehicles will ensure visibility among communities to enable the board to crack down on illegal liquor trading. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Probe follows tavern murders
Police said Zongezo Mbani, 17, and Tobani Kolisi, 27, were stabbed to death by two men after a fight broke out.
One of the men, 18-year-old Philasande Bistoni, also from Nompumelelo, was arrested at the scene and charged with the murders.
A second accomplice managed to evade arrest and is still at large.
Bistoni appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. His case was postponed until Monday for a formal bail application.
The Club 21 Tavern in Nompumelelo township is owned by businessman Derick Tolbat, and was supposed to have closed on Sunday at 11pm.
However, patrons were allegedly still allowed to party and drink until into the early hours of Monday morning.
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the two men were murdered at 2am.
As a result, the owner was ordered to cease operations this week to allow police liquor inspectors to conduct their investigation relating to the violation of trading hours.
Tolbat was only allowed to open for business yesterday although an inquiry was still ongoing.
The Saturday Dispatch found the place operating as normal when it visited the premises yesterday.
The scene had been cleaned up and about eight patrons were sitting and drinking with one saying “what happened that morning was terrible”.
Until yesterday, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board was not aware of the incident.
Spokesman of the board Mgwebi Msiya said: “As a regulator we are very concerned by such non-compliance. While this matter is in the hands of the police, the board will also undertake its own investigation.”
Tolbat yesterday declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
Zongezo’s mother, Victoria Mbani, said she was called to the scene at 3am and when she arrived, found police circling her son’s body inside the tavern.
Kolisi’s parents were said to be living in Needs Camp where they have already collected the body from the Woodbrook state mortuary.
Mqala said the arrest of the second suspect was imminent as he was known in the community.
The board has now introduced a toll-free line (0800-000-420) through which community members can report violations of trading hours by liquor licence holders.
Msiya announced yesterday that as part of their readiness for the festive season, the board has acquired 15 new vehicles to strengthen enforcement of liquor regulations.
The vehicles will ensure visibility among communities to enable the board to crack down on illegal liquor trading. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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