Cause of infant's death amid strike still unknown
It's still not clear what led to the death of six month old Sinalakha Sonamanzi at a government facility yesterday.
The infant died after she was transferred from the Walter Sisulu Child and Youth Care Center (CYCC) in Soweto, and placed at another government care facility.
Gauteng Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza says Sonamanzi was one of 90 children who had to be moved from Walter Sisulu CYCC due to intimidation and acts of violence from striking Nehawu members.
"Vehicles going into the Centre to deliver food and other essentials could not go into the facility because of barricades. The children were without caregivers as staff members were forced to join in on the strike", says Manyathula-Khoza.
Nehawu's national spokesperson Khaya Xaba has dismissed reports by the MEC, implicating them in the death of the infant.
"It is the prerogative of the Department that they put measures in place when there is going to be a strike, so it was their duty to ensure they have a skeleton staff", says Xaba
Xaba has described the MEC's utterances as mischievous.
"It is not true that we are not concerned about what happened to the baby, it shouldn't have happened. But to place the blame on Nehawu is unfair" says Xaba.
MEC Manyathula-Khoza has urged leaders to find a speedy solution to the negotiations.
"We have spoken to the leadership of Nehawu to appeal for restraint because of the negative repercussions of the strike", added Manyathula-Khoza.
An inquest docket has been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate the death of Sonamanzi.
Meanwhile, Nehawu's Gauta Mokanu, spoke to JacarandaFM News outside the department's office.
Kokanu says they are saddened by the death.