The owner of the bar, Siyakhangela Ngevu, who was not present when the deaths occurred, apologised and called for calm. Ngevu stated that he "sympathised with the people who have lost their loved ones" and that it "wasn't my intention for this to happen". Ngevu also stated that he received calls from security at around 1 a.m., informing him of people attempting to force their way through a gate outside of the tavern.[20][21]