UPDATE: Protest victim’s family demand justice

The family of a 27-year-old Stanger woman who was hit by a brick during a Shaka’s Head protest is calling for justice as her condition worsens.

Sashni Daniel and a friend were travelling on the R102 on the night of Sunday, February 25, when a brick was thrown at their car by protestors, shattering the windscreen and hitting her in the head.

Her father, Kovi Daniel says the family have been told by doctors that Sashni was in a critical state and the only thing left to do was to hope and pray.

“Sashni had a fractured skull, three blood clots and swelling. Doctors hoped the blood clots would disappear on their own but on Friday night her head started to swell severely. Doctors had to do an emergency operation at 11pm and she only came out of surgery at 3am the next morning.

“She is now on life support in ICU at Albert Luthuli hospital. We are praying and we are appealing for people to offer their prayers because right now, that is all we can do.”

Posts on social media claiming that Sashni will be taken off life support today (Wednesday) have also been doing the rounds, however this is not true.

The distraught father called for justice to be served to those responsible for his daughter’s condition.

Also read: Shaka’s Head protest victim worsens, on life support

The family has been trying to contact mayor Ricardo Mthembu as they believe KDM should accept responsibility for the tragedy.

“The protest was about service delivery and KDM must not duck and dive to avoid taking responsibility. People from Shaka’s Head told us that the protest was incited by staff from KDM which I have reported to the police. If KDM did what they were paid to do then this protest would not have happened.

“The protest started in the township and then moved to the road. Why didn’t KDM officials, like the mayor, attempt to calm the situation knowing that innocent people were being targeted? We have tried to contact mayor Ricardo Mthembu and even tried visiting his office. We cannot get a hold of him and he did not get back to us,” said Daniel.

Sashni is the primary breadwinner in the household as her father is disabled.

She is a well known jewellery consultant at American Swiss in the Ballito Junction mall.

The violent protest came after Shaka’s Head residents had been without electricity for 11 hours after KDM stopped their electricians from responding to weekend calls in a bid to cut down overtime.

Eleven cars were stoned and four motorists, including Sashni, were injured.

Also read: 11 vehicles stoned by Shaka’s Head protesters

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Vinny Pillay confirmed there were allegations from some Shaka’s Head residents claiming that some KDM employees had incited the public to protest.

“We are taking every bit of information given to us seriously. Nothing has been proven yet but these claims need to be investigated. The charges are attempted murder and public violence. So far only two cases have been opened. Other motorists who were victims in the protest need to come forward.”

KDM knowledge and communications officer Sphelelo Ngobese rejected claims that KDM staff had incited the protest.

“These are claims that people are making which have not been proved. It is unlikely that KDM staff would do such a thing as it is against the municipality’s policies. If, however, this was the case and it is proven, then the municipal manager will take immediate action.”

An interfaith prayer service and vigil will be held for Sashni on Friday, March 9 at 7pm at the Stanger Siva Sungum Hall. The prayer will include Hindu, Muslim and Christian prayers.

All are welcome. Contact Dean on 066 220 2440 for more details.

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