SIYABONGA SITHOLE
After weeks of tests following the deaths of 21 Enyobeni Tavern patrons, the preliminary toxicology report delivered by the Eastern Cape Department of Health, the cause of death is still inconclusive as evidence suggests possible methanol poisoning with little to no definitive proof.
On Tuesday, and after three weeks of waiting and uncertainty, director-general for clinical services at the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Dr Litha Matiwane, said the preliminary toxicology report revealed methanol poisoning as the possible cause of death for the 21 Enyobeni Tavern victims who died following a pens down party at the tavern in Scenery Park East London.
The findings are contained in the toxicology report from a Cape Town-based laboratory.
Dr Matiwane, who addressed members of the media and other stakeholders, said the long over due report about the death of the underage victims was a preliminary one as they were still conducting more tests.
He said in all the blood samples from the victims, there was a presence of methanol,even though at this point it was not conclusive whether the volume of the chemical was lethal or not.
Although it is not clear how methanol entered the bodies of the victims, this report has ruled out binge drinking and carbon monoxide as some of the causes of death for the victims.
Matiwane said the chemical was both ingestible and a by-product of other chemicals.
“You can either ingest methanol, but it is also a by product of other chemicals.
“We are still however, waiting for those results.
“We are also looking for other things like methanol by-products to further ensure accuracy of findings,” Dr Matiwane said.
Dr Matiwane said his team was analysing gastric contents of the deceased to understand what really happened on the fateful day of June 26, 2022.
Ahead of the preliminary report announcement, a delegation led by Minister of Police Bheki Cele, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and MEC of Health Nomakhosazana Meth gathered at the Cambridge Police Station in East London for a briefing of the families of the 21 victims.