By: Natasha Archary
Preliminary toxicology reports show that the Enyobeni Tavern victims had methanol in their blood.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government led by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and other stakeholders shared an update on the deaths of 21 teenagers on 22 June.
Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent pesticide, and alternative fuel source. The substance is not meant to be consumed.
Listen to the analysis of the Enyobeni finding on Point of View here:
Deputy Director-General for the Eastern Cape Health Department, Litha Matiwane said officials are still trying to determine how the teenagers came into contact with methanol.
Over-consumption of alcohol and a possible stampede were ruled out as the cause of death.
“Alcohol levels ranged from 0.05g to 0.26g per 100ml, which is not conclusive to legal toxicology, which rules out over consumption of alcohol as cause of death, because these are not lethal levels. Carbon monoxide poisoning is also ruled out because levels indicate a range between 3.3% to 21% saturation. Lethal levels of carbon monoxide should be over 50%.”
Methanol was found in all 21 teenagers but the levels of the substance has not been determined yet.
“At this point in time there is no conclusive result and we are awaiting further quantitative results from the lab.”
Also read: WATCH: Bheki Cele pours away 30 000 litres of confiscated alcohol



