Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga expressed her shock at the incident where six people died inside a burning business premises at Sweetwater outside King Williams Town on the night of 17 September 2020 at 21:15.
Six charges of murder and arson have been opened and currently under investigation by the Hawks after a tavern situated at Sweetwater, King Williams Town was allegedly petrol bombed while tavern patrons were locked inside on 17 September 2020 at about 21:15.
It is alleged that two unknown men came to eShop tavern situated at Sweetwater, King William’s Town after 21:00 and ordered everyone to get out. Few obeyed the instructions and got out. It is further alleged that the two unknown men then threw a petrol bomb inside the premises, locked the patrons inside and left the place in a blazing inferno.
In total six people died during this ordeal.
Firefighters were called in and they managed to put the flames under control while saving few people that were trapped inside. All the victims’ ages cannot be confirmed.
Four injured people, three females and one unidentified male were rushed to Grey hospital to receive medical treatment.
The cause of the bombing is unknown at the moment and it forms part of the investigation. A 72 hour activation plan has been initiated while the case has been handed over to the DPCI for further investigation and handling.
“No words are enough or appropriate to express our shock at the inhumane and brutal way the victims suffered at the mercy of the perpetrators. Our detectives must leave no nook and cranny uncombed in search of the perpetrators behind this cruel act. We have initiated a 72 hour activation, at the same breath send our sincere condolences to the victims, their family and close relatives,” she added.
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