Allegations unfounded

THE ARTICLE (“City denies listeriosis link to vetkoek deaths”, Cape Times, March 8) refers.

First, the headline is disingenuous at best, because a denial would be a reaction to an allegation. There was no allegation.

The journalist asked a question about whether there could possibly be a link to the listeriosis outbreak. We indicated that there was no link.

Second, the journalist persists with the same claims and untruths, in spite of the fact that we have set the record straight on numerous occasions.

Third, the manner in which this story is being reported on for the past seven months creates the impression that the city is the agency responsible for the investigation and providing closure to the affected families.

The reality is that the city became involved only because there was a suspicion of possible food poisoning and we are mandated to investigate that. Any further investigations are the responsibility of the SAPS.

The autopsies and toxicology reports were carried out by the Forensic Pathology Services, which is run by the Western Cape Health Department.

Yet, in seven months of reporting on the issue, none of the coverage has included input from either of these agencies.

The city completed its investigation and handed the results over to the national Department of Health.

Our environmental health practitioners engaged with the families as part of that investigation.

The matter now rests with the SAPS and I trust that future coverage will reflect that. Alderman JP Smith Mayoral Committee Member: Safety and Security, and Social Services City of Cape Town

Alderman JP Smith’s allegations are unfounded.

We are concerned about a lack of sympathy for the most important people in this issue, the grieving families, who have told us they are still seeking closure.

Smith states: “The city completed its investigation and handed the results over to the national Department of Health. Our environmental health practitioners engaged with the families as part of that investigation.”

But since the investigation, no one has given the families the final outcome.

Also, Smith rushed to state on the city’s safety and security WhatsApp group that the young men may have died because of drugs, before any tests had been done, which was very wrong.

It wasn’t drugs. He exonerates himself by saying the police had told him so. Why should he care to repeat that is the question.

Meanwhile, the families have been deeply disturbed by the drugs allegation, having been near ostracised by their communities because, as they told us, people tend to believe those in authority like Smith, despite the families’ denials.

The families also charged that Smith was racist for rushing to give drugs as a reason, because the youngsters were from a township.

So what the families have asked for is a simple apology from Smith for suggesting drugs may have been involved, no matter who told him, so that their community can stop treating them with suspicion.

Smith has refused to apologise, and has now once again got on to his high horse. Why is that we wonder? Why does he not humble himself and go and visit the famlies to say sorry, and help bring closure to them?

That is his responsibility, which he doesn’t seem to get. – Editor