Pretoria - The tavern at which 10 people died during a stampede on New Year's Day was not authorised to operate as a tavern.
According to the North West Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, the trading licence for the business was for a food outlet with limited sale of beer, wine and spirits served with a meal.
In addition, there were also deviations from the approved structures of the building plans, the department noted.
According to reports, a commotion allegedly broke out during New Year's festivities at the shebeen in the Ipelegeng township, causing revelers to rush for the door as they tried to leave a crowded hall.
In the stampede that ensued, seven men and three women were killed.
The owner of the tavern, James Thembiso Lepholletse, appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates Court on Monday on charges related to the incident.
He was arrested soon after the stampede and is facing charges of culpable homicide. The case against him was postponed to 7 January.
A preliminary report on the investigation into stampede found that there were no under-age patrons among the 10 victims.
The seven men killed in the incident have been identified as Tshomo Stephen Ditloko, 25, Lebogang Moyakhe, 25, Samuel Mogokare, 21, Boy Maano, 23, Seoka Montshwagae, 19, Bongani Molantwa, 21, Isaac Mothupi, 18.
The three women were 21-year-old Mapitso Makhobosi, Mpho Mokwena, 19, and Kelebogile Julia Maruping, 18.
On Monday, North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise led a provincial government delegation that visited the families of the victims.
