Enyobeni tavern

A mass funeral will be held next week for the teenagers who died at Enyobeni tavern. PHOTO: Twitter/@BlessingRamoba

ICYMI: Enyobeni tavern: Mass funeral for dead tavern teenagers

A mass funeral for the teenagers who died at Enyobeni tavern will be held next week with aid from Eastern Cape Provincial Government.

Enyobeni tavern

A mass funeral will be held next week for the teenagers who died at Enyobeni tavern. PHOTO: Twitter/@BlessingRamoba

A mass funeral will be held for the 21 teenagers who mysteriously died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London next week, with the provincial government offering aid to the families of the deceased.

GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST FAMILIES OF DEAD TEENS

Government and the families agreed to hold the mass funeral on Wednesday, 6 July. The bereaved families will also be assisted with transportation of the bodies to burial sites of their choice.

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Those who have offered assistance include funeral parlour AVBOB, which pledged burial costs for each family.

“The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) has waved the grave fees for the burial of the deceased and together with the provincial government, will facilitate other logistical needs to ensure a dignified send-off for the deceased,” Eastern Cape government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie.

Families received food parcels and vouchers on Wednesday morning to assist with immediate needs and costs.

The province and its partners will continue to provide psycho-social support to the affected families and the broader community.

“This will include community debriefing sessions to assist everyone to cope with the impact of Sunday’s tragic event,” Rantjie said.

AUTOPSIES ARE BEING CONDUCTED TO CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF DEATH

The cause of the tragic deaths of the teenagers, has not yet been confirmed as autopsies were still being conducted. The youngest of the deceased teenagers was only 13-years-old.

Media reports however have cited experts who suspect the deaths were caused by inhalation, consumption or the smoking of a poisonous substance.

ALSO READ: Enyobeni tavern: Toxicologists probe carbon monoxide link, results due

But a final report is yet to be concluded in the Western Cape, Rantjie said.

“The Eastern Cape Provincial Government wishes to reassure the bereaved families and the rest of South Africa that autopsies have been performed on the 21 deceased young people and samples have been sent to a lab in the Western Cape for investigation.”

Khuselwa Rantjie

“The report will be shared with the affected families as soon as investigations have been concluded,” said Rantjie.

Police remained at the scene to comb through for further clues and evidence which lead to the shocking deaths.