By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Methanol was found in the blood samples from all the deceased, but tests are still being done to determine whether it was at a lethal level, said Dr Litha Matiwane from the Eastern Cape health department.
Officials, including the Police Minister, Bheki Cele, and Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane, met the families on Tuesday to report back on the preliminary findings.
Delivering the report, Dr Matiwane, highlighted three findings in the blood results.
He said blood alcohol levels among the deceased ranged from 0.05g to 0.26 grams per 100 ml, which in itself is not conclusive of lethal toxicology. “So, at this point in time, we can say that it might not have been the final cause of death.”
Dr Matiwane said the blood results also confirmed the presence of carbon monoxide, ranging from 3.3% to 21% of saturation of hemoglobin, adding that level levels would be considered above 50%. “Again the understanding is that this might not be the final cause of death,” he said.
He said the third finding was that of methanol in the blood of all 21 deceased. However, progressive analysis was still being undertaken on the levels of methanol and whether it was lethal enough to cause death.
“In summary, we have now moved from a point where we said we did exclude the stampede, but now we do have initial results from the toxicology lab. However, at this point in time there is no conclusive result that says this was the lethal concoction that we are dealing with,” Dr Matiwane concluded.
The manager of the tavern, Siyakhangela Ndevu (52), was arrested last week to appear in court on charges of contravening the Liquor Act. Two of his employees were given the chance to pay a fine and avoid court.
The liquor licence for the tavern is in the name of Ndevu’s wife, Vuyokazi.
The tavern was closed down shortly after the incident.