Health concerns rise after death of infant on Plot 323
Plot 323 shelter for the displaced leaves the residents with hundreds of questions.
The pitiful conditions faced by displaced dwellers on Plot 323 in Ruimsig have caused more sorrow and grief, following the death of an infant.
The seriousness of their situation, where they have been sheltered in tents for many months, has brought fear to most families, who not only fear for their health but also that of their children after the death of the three-month-old toddler.
A representative of the dwellers, Lefty Khuselo, who has been appealing for a swift reaction to the crisis, told Northsider that the baby died a week after the heavy storm which ripped away their tents and left them in the cold. “The baby boy died last week following the heavy storm and was buried a week after,” said Khuselo.
Read more: Mogale City responsible for Ruimsig informal settlement
The baby was buried on 19 October in Diepsloot through the intervention of the MMC for Economic Development, Ward 97 councillor Leah Knott, who said she assisted via social development in facilitating a civic burial as the family was indigent.
The death of the baby was blamed on the poor living conditions at the plot. “The child was healthy at birth, but suffered because of the unhealthy conditions at the plot,” Khuselo lamented.
However, this was disputed by Knott. She said, “The baby was sick when it was born as can be attested to by various people.”
Local political structures in Ward 97 expressed their dissatisfaction on the resolution to the housing saga on Plot 323. These residents were evicted from a nearby plot by the Red Ants early this year. After days without shelter, the Provincial Government managed to provide tents for them, followed by water and sanitation.
Also Read: Storm leaves tent dwellers in puddles
Lebo Mofokane, the ANC deputy chairman in Ward 97, said the party within the ward was appalled by what was happening. “We tried to engage the ward councillor, Leah Knott, about the crisis. We are also tirelessly working with Ekemeleng, a community-based organisation, asking the City to improve the lives of these people,” he said.
He added that the dwellers are being harassed and have escalated the matter to provincial government.
On 11 October, the Executive Mayor of City of Joburg, Herman Mashaba visited the plot with his delegates and called on Provincial Government to come up with a solution for the displaced people. “I’m calling on Provincial Government to help with the permanent relocation and relief of these residents who are seemingly forgotten,” Mashaba said in a Tweet.
Mofokane, however, accused Mashaba of shifting the blame. He said there are young children who are not in any school, and the City is not doing anything about it. He added that they will be taken the matter up with the Human Rights Commission.
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