Residents of Clay Oven informal settlement, in Paulshof, have accused authorities of not taking them seriously, after a man was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the morning of August 25, later dying.

Community members say they repeatedly called emergency services and police for help, but claim no response came until much later in the afternoon, when residents had already taken to the streets in protest.

Fourways Review had a sit-down with two residents, both asking to remain anonymous for their safety, who witnessed the events as they unfolded. They told us that they believe the man could have been saved, had authorities acted promptly. “We called in the morning, but no one came,” said one of the residents. “They only arrived after we protested in the afternoon.”

Read more: Protest action reported at Clay Oven

He expressed frustration, saying the community is judged unfairly because of its reputation as a crime hotspot. “They don’t take us seriously because of where we live, but we are also human, and we deserve to be treated with compassion and respect. What is funny about the situation is that we are also affected by the crime here. We also live in fear.”

The residents said that when they found the man early in the morning, around 06:00 or 07:00, he was lying in a pool of blood with visible injuries on his arms and legs. Out of concern not to tamper with the scene, they did not move him to check where else he might have been bleeding.

They added that they tried speaking to him, asking his name, where he was from, and how he ended up in Clay Oven, but his answers were incoherent, possibly because of the pain he was in.

“He couldn’t make sense,” said the second resident. “He was suffering. He said he was from Kya Sands, Alexandra, and then later changed his story to Oliven.”

Read more: Shooting reported on Bath Avenue in Rosebank, 1 body confirmed

The community says they do not know who the man was, and, despite asking around the settlement, no one has come forward to identify him. They have appealed to the wider public to contact the police if they can assist with information.

The first resident told Fourways Review that he eventually went directly to the Sandton Police Station after growing frustrated with the lack of response. “I couldn’t take it anymore. He had been lying there for hours, so I went there personally to get assistance. When we got back, the community was already angered.”

Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlhane was contacted regarding the allegations, and to confirm details of other injuries sustained by the deceased. She promised to revert, but no response was received despite follow-ups.

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