News24.com | Trial of trio accused of robbing Enyobeni corpses postponed

Aphiwe Rawuti, Someleze Dyani and Sinobom Ntyintyi appeared in the East London Magistrate’s bail court on Tuesday facing charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen property, and defeating the ends of justice.

• The trial of three men accused of stealing the belongings of dead patrons at the Enyobeni tavern was postponed.
• The trial failed to start on Tuesday because the magistrate was absent. 
• Twelve girls and nine boys died at the overcrowded tavern in East London on 26 June.

The start of the trial of three men accused of stripping valuables from the bodies of some of the 21 people, who died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London in June last year, has been postponed to 27 July.

This was due to the magistrate being absent from the East London Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

No explanation was given for the magistrate's absence.

Aphiwe Rawuti, Someleze Dyani and Sinobom Ntyintyi were remanded in custody after previously being denied bail by the magistrate, Luyanda Gobingca. 

It is alleged the accused were caught on CCTV camera stealing valuables from dead or dying patrons at the tavern.

They are not linked to the deaths, according to police. 

READ | Weaves, watches and cellphones: Enyobeni tavern victims stripped of valuables as they lay dying

A fourth accused - a 16-year-old boy who can't be identified - was released into the custody of his parents. His case is separate from that of his co-accused. 

The deaths of 12 girls and nine boys horrified the nation on 26 June 2022.

The July arrest of the accused came after a News24 investigation revealed that some of the victims had been robbed as they lay dying.

A group of concerned parents, who opted to remain anonymous, contacted News24 and raised concerns about their deceased children's missing belongings.

Meanwhile, the trial of the tavern owners, Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, charged with violation of the Liquor Act, will continue on 23 May. 

The Ndevus, who are currently out on warning, had previously pleaded not guilty to selling liquor to underage children as well as a second charge of coercing two staff members to sell liquor to minors. 

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