They believe the provincial government is covering up the actual cause of death after the families of the victims said they were told suffocation was the cause of the teenagers’ deaths.

The Scenery Park Youth Development Forum has rejected this as the official cause of death.

It said it believed a drug or poisonous substance was behind the fatalities, as the youth was allegedly offered free drinks on the night.

Maxwell Kamte, from the development forum, also claimed that the owner of the tavern was back in business.

“He opened another tavern in Ziphunzana and is living his life. He is going around saying he is untouchable,” he said.

Kamte added that the community was threatening to burn down Enyobeni Tavern as it held sad memories for the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Eastern Cape said the interests of the parents of the teenagers who died at the tavern have been neglected.

The SAHRC said the parents said they’ve now been left with more questions than answers after suffocation was revealed as the cause of death.

The commission has requested a formal written report containing more details following these findings.

Commissioner Eileen Carter said, in the meantime, they were making counselling services available for families of the deceased.

Source: EWN