Soshanguve attack survivors still waiting for government support

Three survivors of the brutal attack that killed six patrollers in March at Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve are still awaiting promised psycho-social counselling and food parcels from the government. 

This is despite previous assurances from government officials and politicians that the survivors would receive support, including the housing development to benefit community members.

The survivors expressed their frustrations about daily struggles during a DA oversight visit in the area on Wednesday. 

The party representatives, led by DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink, said they were there to listen to community issues and claimed that policing and public safety in the area have collapsed.

Survivors stated that night patrols in the area have stopped following the March attacks, which have instilled fear in the community, discouraging potential volunteers from becoming patrollers.

They also expressed disappointment over the government's empty promises to improve their lives.

One of them, Nthabiseng Malokane, 36, who was hospitalised for injuries, expressed feeling forgotten by the government.

"When the promises were made, I was still in the hospital. After discharge, my mom told me they were promised houses and food parcels for the victims, but nothing has materialised. We have also had no trauma counselling after our fellow patrollers were killed," she said.

She is unable to work because of the injuries she sustained.

"I was struck on the left side and have scars on my head from a sharp object. I used to make a living from recycling, but now I am unable to do it. I have three children to feed," Malokane said.

A tearful Musa Mkhonto, another survivor, expressed her distress, saying: "I am supposed to go to hospital today for a medical check-up, but I couldn't afford the transport fare."

She had surgery on her head after the attack, and her eyes were also affected.

"I am now constantly on painkillers for headaches and body pains. I don't feel safe; it feels like they are still after me. Life is tough, and I have children to feed," she said.

Thomas Ngobeni, 41, a patroller, said the attack left him unable to walk properly and with limited use of his hand.

"I was hit with something sharp on the leg. I don't remember the attackers because they wore balaclavas. The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital, where I spent three weeks in a coma," he said.

Ngobeni said the attack has led to a complete halt in night patrols, as people are too scared to participate. "Since the incident, no one wants to patrol at night." 

Ngobeni expressed disappointment over the lack of development in the area despite government promises.

"They (the government) said they are going to assist us with food parcels, and we are still waiting for them. All the things that they promised they failed to deliver," he said.

Crezane Bosch, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, noted that one of the high-mast lights in the area is non-functional, leaving the community in darkness and vulnerable to attacks.

She said the victims, who risked their lives to keep the community safe, should be remembered.

"Where is (Premier Panyaza) Lesufi? Lesufi is nowhere to be found. He neglected our community. But, as the DA and in my portfolio in Community Safety, I will go back to the legislature and I will fight for Marry Me. I will ask questions as to why these people have not yet got the support that they needed after they were attacked," she said.

Brink said: "What we want is a society that rewards voluntary behaviour; that rewards people for taking to the streets and protecting their neighbours." 

He promised to follow up on the community's issues, including poor road infrastructure, sewer problems, and psychological counselling. He also vowed to fight for public lighting in the area.

In August, MMC for Housing and Human Settlements Aaron Maluleka convened a community meeting, announcing a planned housing development and that 3,208 households had been identified and registered during the shack-marking process. 

He stated that 3,000 stands would be allocated to qualifying residents through a decanting and formalisation process

The city said the development will start with installing bulk infrastructure, including water and sewer pipes.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za