Bar brawl to close tavern?

KNYSNA NEWS - More than 200 White Location residents have signed a petition calling for the closure of the tavern 702 after an alleged attack by the tavern owner Thami Duna and his son on four young men on Sunday 16 May.

According to resident Yolelwa Madolo, who spoke to KPH on behalf of the community, the young men, Thando Meje, Teaspoon Kophe, Phelolethu Doyile and Sinethemba Mamase, went to 702 to have some drinks after their soccer match on Sunday.

Assault

"They were assaulted by the owner and his son after they had a quarrel among themselves," she claimed. "One of them was badly assaulted by the two who had organised another group of men to hunt the four men down.

"Now the community is angry and wants the tavern to be closed as there are cases where the owner assaulted his customers that were never reported," said Madolo. She also alleged that one of the young men was hit by a car driven by the owner's son.

She said the community of White Location has had enough.

Thembelihle Meje, victim Thando Meje's sister, said they are angry because the owner of the tavern is now threatening the victims.

"The victims reported to us that he tells them that this is not over, he will get them. The community decided to draft a petition to have the tavern closed while the case continues. People are starting to tell their own stories of how they were assaulted by the tavern owner," Meje said.

According to Madolo, more than 200 people have signed the petition so far and more people are signing.

Teaspoon Kophe's sister, Phikiwe, said her brother was attacked for trying to stop the owner from assaulting his friends. "The owner even threatened to beat him until he is wheelchair-bound," she said.

One of the alleged victims, Thando Meje, sustained a cut on his head.

'Lies'

Speaking to KPH on Monday, the tavern owner, Thami Duna, said these are lies.

"This was self-defence, as I was stopping a fight. I was attacked by these boys and the only person I beat was the one who hit me with a stick," he said.

He claimed he has been a victim of people from the Eastern Cape for years. "I am from the Northern Cape and people from the Eastern Cape are targeting me as I am not from the Eastern Cape. I've been attacked and my windows broken by these people."

He stated that, when he tried to stop the four men, they came back with sticks to beat him and he fought back.

"This matter is still with my lawyers. I have also opened a case against them and the investigator said no one will be arrested as he will take both cases to the prosecutor to make a decision," he said.

The four victims said they have in turn opened a case against Duna. Knysna police did not respond to questions sent to them on Friday morning.

One of the alleged victims, Thando Meje, sustained a cut on his head.