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TUESDAY 28 July 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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People’s Post
Supporters line the banks of the canal in Vygieskraal on Saturday 18 July in remembrance of the two victims who lost their lives nine days earlier.
VYGIESKRAAL
Bodies found in canal SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
T
he Athlone District Advice office has come out in support of the Vygieskraal community after the recent tragedy which occurred on the banks of the canal. Tragedy struck on Thursday 9 July when eight-year-old Abieda Paulse fell into the canal while playing with friends. In an attempt to save her, fellow resident Yusuf Kiriboto also jumped in but both were drawn under by the swells. The banks of the canal had burst as a result of heavy rainfall. JP Smith, the Mayco member for safety and security, confirmed at the time that fire and rescue service divers had responded to the scene to search for the two who were believed to have been swept into one of the many underground pipes and tunnels along the canal. The search was suspended later that day due to adverse weather conditions. The following day, police divers continued the search. Residents, who expressed their concern over the seeming lack of urgency, also joined in the search for the pair.
Athlone police munity is conspokesperson Sgt Zicerned, Yusuf is a ta Norman has conmartyr as he sacfirmed that two bodrificed his life to ies, a girl and a man, try and save the were recovered girl, but, unfortufrom the canal. DNA nately, his atsamples were yet to tempts were all in be tested to confirm vain,” says Pretothe identities. rius. Brian Pretorius, On Saturday 18 the community adJuly, members of visor for the advice Divers and other rescue personnel on the banks the advice office office, says the fami- of the canal on Thursday 9 July. joined residents ly of the deceased PHOTO: SHAFIEK BRAAF to hold a vigil and have been informed silent protest for that DNA testing would take place today, the victims and their families. Tuesday 28 July. They gathered on the banks of the canal According to Pretorius, members of the at 11:00 with intermittent interfaith office and the community feel more could prayers by members of the office as well as have been done to recover the bodies soon- religious leaders er. “We believe that God answered our “Since the tragedy happened on Thursprayers as on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 day 9 July, members of the Athlone District July both bodies were recovered, although Advice Office have been involved in assiston different spots. Abieda’s body was recov- ing the family. It was only a day or two later ered from the Liesbeeck River near the N2/ that we learned the identity of the other vicM5 interchange and Yusuf’s body was dis- tim who had jumped in to try and save the covered from the canal running alongside little girl but, unfortunately, (he) was swept Hazendal/ Bokmakierie. As far as the com- away by the strong current as well,” says
Pretorius. “(Our aim) was to make people and authorities aware of how this tragedy affected the families and the Vygieskraal community as a whole.” “Not many people turned up. However, various Vygieskraal residents (who were) passing by stopped and joined for a few minutes to pledge their support and (to share) how they felt about the entire situation. Unfortunately, none of the family was present. We went live on Facebook as well,” says Pretorius. When asked to comment on the litter, cleansing and extent of the problem at the canal, the City of Cape Town did not comment. Pretorius says: “The canal, as well as the area surrounding it, is disgusting. It was a tragedy waiting to happen. The City needs to stop making excuses and ignoring the plight of communities such as Vygieskraal.” The Mayco member for transport, Felicity Purchase, says the City does not have any plans for an additional crossing over the canal as there are already two existing safe crossings which serve the Vygieskraal informal settlement.