Enyobeni survivor Siyambona Rungqu has placed bouncer Thembisa Diko at the centre of the events that saw the deaths of 21 young people at the tavern on June 26 2022.
On Monday, Rungqu, 20, told the inquest at the Mdantsane regional court that on the night of the chaotic “pens-down” party Diko sprayed a substance that caused some attendees to choke and suffocate.
Rungqu said he and his friends were sprayed when they tried to enter the upper VIP section where Diko was at the door.
In August, Diko told the inquest she had brought pepper spray for her own safety.
That night, the Scenery Park tavern had been packed and patrons were pushing their way inside.
She admitted to using pepper spray outside the tavern at 7pm to try to disperse the crowd but people continued to push their way in.
The door to the tavern was open at the time. She later abandoned her post and went to join her girlfriend upstairs.
Magistrate Mvuselelo Malindi, evidence leader advocate Luvuyo Vena, attorneys Vuyisile Magqabi for the parents and Mzwanele Nkebe, who represented Diko, heard Rungqu say Diko was in the upper section of the tavern when she sprayed a substance on a group that wanted to gain entry.
Malindi told Rungqu to identify Diko and he pointed to Diko in the gallery.
Rungqu said: “We arrived at the tavern at about 7pm and it was already packed. We sat there and enjoyed ourselves and we later decided that we wanted to join the party upstairs.”
Rungqu said his party were not wearing the black-themed colour of the event — those wearing black were in the VIP section where the DJ was.
“They were handing out free alcohol — Savannah and Jagermeister — but I do not recall who was handing it.
“A person was making the rounds carrying them on a tray. I received a Savannah and I missed the Jagermeister and the meat.”
He said he and his friends tried going upstairs but were not let in.
“It was difficult going up the stairs and we ended up using a sliding door entry.
“Diko was at the door and when denying us access she sprayed us with a substance and then closed the door.”
Between midnight and 1am, Rungqu said, the party retreated down the stairs, lost their balance and fell.
“Going back down the stairs it was packed and others fell. I stepped on top of a person while I was making my escape towards the main entrance.”
Rungqu said whatever had been sprayed reached the bottom of the stairs, and it suffocated those on the stairs and those at the bottom.
As they forced their way towards the main entrance, there were two bouncers present.
“There were people outside who were attempting to get inside and those inside were attempting to get out.
“The door was closed — I do not know why. Later, two men inside opened the door.”
Rungqu said they escaped and continued to drink their alcohol outside.
By the time emergency and forensics officials arrived, they had already left.
“I was already out when people were dropping dead. I did not see the emergency and forensic people rushing to Enyobeni.”
Rungqu said the next morning he had burning pains in his chest and his brother rounded up his friends and took them to Empilweni Health Care in Gompo where they were treated.
Evidence leader Vena said previous witnesses had said there was a lack of oxygen and they had struggled to breathe.
Rungqu said: “I did not feel that and it was only after being sprayed I felt the choking and suffocation.”
Cross-examining Rungqu, Nkebe — for Diko — suggested he had been intoxicated at Enyobeni.
But Rungqu said Diko directly sprayed him and others in the face as they were trying to gain entry.
Enyobeni tavern owner Siyakhangela Ndevu, who is representing himself, asked Rungqu if he was fit to testify before the court.
He argued that Rungqu’s evidence that Diko was opening and closing the sliding door was misleading.
“The handle of the sliding door was long removed, and it is not there. Which one were they using? It is just a free-flow opening.”
On Tuesday, neighbour Nkosinathi Msuthu will take the stand.
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