The Mohan family and residents of the flats believe Kiara’s death could have been prevented if the municipality had properly maintained the skip bin and secured the area around it.

Residents say warnings were ignored

Residents allege that the issue had been raised with their ward councillor on several occasions.

They also claim that two other people were previously injured when the same bin toppled over. In one incident, residents say a vagrant searching through the bin suffered broken legs when it fell on him.

Ward Councillor Connie Harriram said she was not aware of complaints that the skip bin was damaged or posed a danger to residents.

She also said she had not been informed of previous incidents involving injuries.

When asked why the area was not fenced off to prevent access by children, Harriram said the skip was enclosed on three sides, with the front left open to allow refuse trucks to collect waste.

“My deepest sympathies go to the bereaved family. It is sad to note that a tragedy of this nature could have been avoided,” she said.

Harriram said the skip was installed about three years ago and was, in her view, placed in a secure area.

“One of the wheels was burned by vagrants who sleep in the skip. I visited the family and we discussed the issue of vagrants using the skip as shelter.”

She said children were playing around the skip when it fell, causing fatal head injuries to Kiara.

Harriram added that the flats are privately owned and said that, if a body corporate had been in place, it could have addressed certain safety concerns.

“I was unaware that the wheel was missing. The matter has been handed over to the police for a thorough investigation,” she said.

Residents disagree, however, saying that regardless of ownership of the property, the municipality remains responsible for maintaining its skip bins and ensuring they are safe.

Family seeks answers after Kiara’s death

The Mohan family wish to clarify that they are not looking for compensation, but for the municipality to take accountability.

They also wish to thank the staff at Mediclinic Newcastle for their assistance and for doing all they could to assist Kiara. “We would also like to thank them for comforting and consoling us as a family while we were there,” they said.

The issue relating to the lack of a body corporate will be addressed in a future article.

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