ActionSA’s lawyers write to Gauteng Transport MEC to act on Mamelodi Drownings investigation
Michael Shackleton
ActionSA In-House Legal Counsel
ActionSA’s lawyers have written to newly appointed Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale, calling on her to act on the investigative report into the Mamelodi Drownings which recommended reparations for the affected families.
In February 2021, Siyabonga Mabila (7) and Lawrence Tshwenu (4) were taking a swim in a water-filled quarry in Mamelodi, which had been excavated by Gauteng Roads and Transport Department contractors working on roads in the area, when they drowned.
Through its lawyers, ActionSA reiterated to MEC Diale that a considerable period of time has elapsed since April 2022 when the investigative report on the incident was completed, and yet no action has been taken.
This is despite weekly requests from ActionSA’s lawyers for feedback from the Roads and Transport department, through the department’s legal representatives.
The investigative report – penned under the term of former Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo – recommended that a restorative process be followed to help bring healing for the families of Siyabonga and Lawrence, and that reparations be offered.
It also recommended that independent investigators meet with all key stakeholders and thereafter a meeting with the families would be scheduled. This has not yet occurred.
ActionSA continues to maintain that negligence by the provincial government caused the tragedy as the quarry was not fenced off – despite repeated concerns raised by the community.
It is clear that the bereaved families have lost trust in the provincial government. And ActionSA will continue to place pressure on the ANC government to achieve justice for the community.ActionSA urges MEC Diale to break with the lackadaisical attitude that her new Department has had towards this matter under her predecessor and act with compassion and responsiveness towards the people of Gauteng.
We will not rest until the families achieve the simple justice that they have been waiting for far too long.
ActionSA’s lawyers write to Gauteng Transport MEC to act on Mamelodi Drownings investigation
ActionSA’s lawyers have written to newly appointed Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale, calling on her to act on the investigative report into the Mamelodi Drownings which recommended reparations for the affected families.
In February 2021, Siyabonga Mabila (7) and Lawrence Tshwenu (4) were taking a swim in a water-filled quarry in Mamelodi, which had been excavated by Gauteng Roads and Transport Department contractors working on roads in the area, when they drowned.
Through its lawyers, ActionSA reiterated to MEC Diale that a considerable period of time has elapsed since April 2022 when the investigative report on the incident was completed, and yet no action has been taken.
This is despite weekly requests from ActionSA’s lawyers for feedback from the Roads and Transport department, through the department’s legal representatives.
The investigative report – penned under the term of former Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo – recommended that a restorative process be followed to help bring healing for the families of Siyabonga and Lawrence, and that reparations be offered.
It also recommended that independent investigators meet with all key stakeholders and thereafter a meeting with the families would be scheduled. This has not yet occurred.
ActionSA continues to maintain that negligence by the provincial government caused the tragedy as the quarry was not fenced off – despite repeated concerns raised by the community.
It is clear that the bereaved families have lost trust in the provincial government. And ActionSA will continue to place pressure on the ANC government to achieve justice for the community.ActionSA urges MEC Diale to break with the lackadaisical attitude that her new Department has had towards this matter under her predecessor and act with compassion and responsiveness towards the people of Gauteng.
We will not rest until the families achieve the simple justice that they have been waiting for far too long.