Family cries lack of maintenance after gate kills baby
Family of baby killed by gate says this could have been avoided if there were proper maintenance done.
The family of the baby who was killed after a gate fell on him on Wednesday morning in Erasmia, says the tragedy happened due to a lack of maintenance by the property owner.
Ali Imedi Kazambe, uncle to deceased baby Tom Kazambe junior, said this was unfortunately the second incident where the same gate fell on someone on the premises.
He said the owners of the property have not even secured the gate to ensure anyone’s safety. Previously, the same gate had fallen on a lady who used to live there some months ago.
“It is unfortunate that something has to be done after a life has been lost,” said Kazambe
Kazambe said the entire structure of the premises was not maintained and the walls were even beginning to crumble and fall.
When it gets windy the gate rattles and is very unsafe because it is not supported by any solid structure.
Kazambe touched the unstable fence and showed Rekord how unsteady the structure is. As he gently added pressure, the gate leaned away.
He said a rope was being used to secure the gate to a wall at night, to ensure the gate was closed.
Around 10:30 on Wednesday morning the tragic accident happened where Tom Kazambe junior must have pulled the unstable gate and it fell on him.
Father Tom Kazambe said it was a difficult time for their family. He said the gate alone weighs a lot and he cannot believe what had happened.
“All we want is decent security,” said the Kazambe’s.
Mohammed and Yusif Bhindia, owners of the property, in reports said they rented the property to a Rodney, and it is Rodney that has let the property to other tenants.
Risk manager for the property, Karl Venter said the Bhindias wanted to come and repair the property at some point, but the new tenants were against anyone entering the premises.
Venter in reports said the Bhindias are not responsible for the accident as they could not have known it was bound to happen.
He said the gate worked three days prior to the accident, before the residents began tying the gate with a rope.
Venter said the Bhindias wanted to support the Kazambes financially, but where advised not to, until the issue had been resolved.
Upset neighbours said the gate was broken for a while, and that they would do what they could to help the family in any way through this difficult time.
Abdul Tom Kazembe junior and a friend were playing on the property when an unused gate fell on them, killing the toddler.
The gate had been leaning against a fence to which it was apparently loosely tied.
Kazembe was buried on Wednesday night. His three-year-old friend is still fighting for his life in Kalafong hospital.
Kazembe’s uncle, Ali Imedi told Rekord on Thursday morning that the father, Tom, went to visit his son’s grave.
“He is being strong in this whole situation, while the mother is still fragile. This is a terrible death because it happened unexpectedly,” he said.
Imedi said the family was still mourning and trying to put their thoughts together.
The tragedy in Party Street has hit the community hard.
Police spokesperson Captain Louise Reed-Steynberg said an inquest docket had been opened.
“The exact details on what happened are still unknown at this stage,” she said.
Tshwane Emergency services spokesperson Johan Pieterse said when the paramedics arrived at the scene there was nothing they could do to save Abdul.
“The child had already died,” said Pieterse.
Crime Line head Yusuf Abramjee said the two children were playing on the property when neighbours suddenly heard a noise and screams.
“The people came out to see what had happened. There was a lot of blood at the scene. The two children were Malawian nationals,” Abramjee said.
He said the children lived with their families and about 35 other people on the property.
“Each person has to pay R500 rent to the landlord every month. The conditions they are living in is very pathetic,” said Abramjee.
“After the incident, the landlord was called to the scene, but refused to come out and said he was scared.”
Abramjee said residents in the area had been complaining about the property for a long time, but authorities have done nothing.
“The metro police and SA Police Service were at the scene until late,” Abramjee said.
Abramjee asked why a life had to be lost before action was taken while residents had been complaining for quite some time.
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