Johannesburg bar owner charged over stampede deaths

The owner of a South African township tavern where 10 people were killed in a stampede early on New Year’s Day has been charged with culpable homicide.

Police spokeswoman Adele Myburgh said 47-year-old James Lepholletse was arrested yesterday and will face charges of causing death by negligence in court on Friday.

Myburgh said a witness claims the owner shot a firearm in the bar to encourage patrons to leave, which caused the panic that led to the stampede.

She said investigations are ongoing.

Seven men and three women, between the ages of 18 and 25, died in the incident at a bar in the Ipelegeng township in the largely rural North West province.

A local safety official said the incident was “the worst New Year celebration disaster” in the province’s history.