SUPPORT FOR DAD WHO FLUNG CHILD
Community rallies round as Joe Slovo dweller appears in court
JOE Slovo community members arrived at the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court yesterday in support of a father who tossed his one-year-old daughter from a shack roof last week. The man – who cannot be named to protect his daughter’s identity – appeared on charges of child abuse pending further investigation.
He had initially faced a charge of attempted murder and is being held in custody.
The court appearance relates to a tense stand-off in Joe Slovo on Thursday when the 38-year-old father flung his child from the roof of his shack while defiantly resisting the demolition of the structure.
The man had been clutching his baby daughter to his chest on his corrugated iron rooftop amid a heavy police presence in the area to safeguard the process as the SAPS, metro police and municipal officials started demolishing shacks built on illegally occupied municipal land.
He was on the roof for about five minutes before he threw the baby, spurred on by members of the community, who shouted “throw, throw, throw”.
Dozens of community members who wanted to see the man released on bail claimed yesterday he did not throw his child off the roof.
“He didn’t throw the child off the roof, he was being pressurised by the situation. He would never do that,” one of the residents, who refused to be named, said.
DA councillor Nqaba Bhanga said they were in support of the court’s decision to deny bail.
“This is a typical example where we do not value the life of our children, we use our children to make a statement – [that] is not acceptable,” he said.
“The court was very clear that bail was denied and we are happy [about that] because we have to protect our children.
“We have a situation in South Africa where our children’s rights are undermined and I think this community and the father should learn that the lives of our children are very important.”
Metro Police chief Yolanda Faro, who attended the proceedings along with Constable Luyolo Nojulumba – who caught the baby after she was flung off the roof – said she had faith justice would prevail.
“We are against women and child abuse. We understand and agree that the court needed to postpone the matter as more charges might be added, pending the investigation,” she said.
“At this stage we are in agreement and know that the police will do a proper investigation to ensure the law runs its course.”
The case was postponed to April 23 for further investigation as a social worker’s report needs to be presented. The man will remain in custody until then.
The DA’s Zakhele Mbhele said there were several pressing issues around the case.
“I know the metro is making every effort within its limited resources to provide housing opportunities and it does not help if those processes then become blocked because of things like protests and illegal occupations,” Mbhele said.
“We need everyone to come on board and get on the same page so that the municipal process can help as many people as possible.”
‘ He didn’t throw the child off the roof, he was being pressurised