Youth removed from place of safety and murdered supervisor buried

WHILE police were still searching for teenagers who allegedly murdered a supervisor at the Excelsior Place of Safety in Pinetown, the rest were being relocated to other centres after the closure of the facility.

Meshack Ntshangase’s death coincided with ongoing labour protests for better working conditions, including increased safety and a danger allowance.

Workers are also claiming that people over the age of 18 are being sent to the centre, putting their lives at risk.

Ntshangase, 50, had worked and lived at the centre since 1994 before he was stabbed allegedly by four minors on Monday. His laptop, car keys and wallet were stolen.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said investigations were ongoing and the killers were still at large.

A Sunday Tribune team visited the child and youth care centre on Friday and found workers protesting. There were young people in sight.

One of the protesters, senior child care worker Matthew Hughes, said they were concerned at the poor safety and security levels at the facility.

He claimed that the death of Ntshangase showed that the facility was not a safe place. Hughes, who has worked at the facility for 19 years, said Ntshangase’s death was unfortunate but could have been avoided had he downed tools too.

“Had he been part of the protest perhaps his death could have been avoided.”

Hughes said the courts referred 13-17 year olds to the centre, but claimed there were instances where people were over age.

“To do an age assessment test is expensive so they give it to the district surgeon. However, they come and we find that the child is not the age they claim to be.”

Ncumisa Ndelu, spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, said it had no record of any safety complaints from the facility.

Khetho Ngidi, a union member who works at the centre, denied the claims. He said letters had been written and he had been stabbed in 2008.

He said this was the 12th incident since the early 2000s, but Ntshangase was the only fatality. Ngidi said minors broke windows and sharpened glass to use as weapons.

Ndelu said the head of the department was in the process of appointing a team to investigate Ntshangase’s death.

Ndelu said the centre was used as a rehabilitation facility for children who were in trouble with the law. She said before they appeared in court they were assessed by probation officers who made recommendations for where the children should be sent.

Former Childline KZN director Linda Naidoo said the incident could have been triggered by diverse issues.

“These are children who come from backgrounds where they have been exposed to abuse,” she said.

Ntshangase’s funeral was held yesterday in Bulwer. He is survived by his wife Nosbusiso and two children.