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Cape Town - The owner of a tavern where a stampede led to the deaths of eight young women has apparently been advised to stay away from his business.
Osi’s Place in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, remains closed as police and the Western Cape Liquor Authority investigate the incident which took place in the early hours of Sunday.
When News24 visited the establishment on Wednesday morning, provincial government officials were still conducting site inspections.
The building remained cordoned off with police tape.
A guard who has been employed by the owner to secure the premises since its closure on Sunday, said police have advised the businessman to not return to the pub until investigations have been completed.
The facility will remain closed until permission is given by the authorities to reopen, he said.
(Photo by Tammy Petersen, News24)
No problems
Locals who live close to the popular establishment told News24 that aside from the occasional fight spilling onto the street, no serious issues have ever surrounded Osi’s Place.
“I live right around the corner and I have never had an issue with the tavern,” resident Mandla Lediga told News24.
“No major noise problems, not public indecency, nothing. Osi’s was as far as I know a fairly decent watering hole.”
Tandeka Mdoda said she found it “hard to believe” that underage persons were allowed into the facility.
This as the victims were aged between 15 and 23.
“Whenever I have gone to the tavern, I have only seen adults inside. They seemed to have been pretty strict when it comes to allowing underage patrons inside,” she said.
“Everybody is pointing fingers at Osi’s. My question is where these children’s parents are if their kids are at a pub in the early hours of the morning?”
Fight and shots fired
Ward councillor John Heuvel on Tuesday told News24 he had also never received any complaints about the establishment prior to the stampede.
Six people died as people charged out of the pub, with two more killed when the vehicle they were transported in crashed on the way to hospital.
Witnesses claim a fight broke out and shots were fired, leading to the stampede.
An inquest docket was opened by police.
Investigations continue.
