Durban - The husband of 38-year-old mother of two, Rashnie Baijnath, who died after allegedly consuming contaminated water in Mariannhill, said he wanted to hold the eThekwini Municipality accountable for his wife’s death.
Suraj Baijnath said he sent messages to new city manager Musa Mbhele but he received no response.
He said it was very difficult for the family since his wife’s death.
“I’m both mother and father to my two children. My son is 17 years old and in school and my daughter is only 18 months old and it’s very difficult. I have a job and have to take my daughter early in the morning by public transport from Mariannhill to Chatsworth to my brother’s house so that somebody can take care of her while I am working. My children have been robbed of their mother. This situation could have been avoided if we were informed properly about the water being possibly contaminated.”
Baijnath said he felt the eThekwini Municipality should take responsibility for not informing residents that the water was contaminated.
“We noticed a problem with the water in mid-July. There was a bad smell and the water looked like sewer water. We and many other residents contacted the municipality and were eventually informed that the water was contaminated. We stopped using the water and it was very difficult for us as we had to buy bottled water which is not easy as it is expensive.
“Towards the end of July, we received information from community members who had received messages that the water was safe to drink, with the challenges that we faced, we started using the water. My wife started feeling sick on August 5.
“We took her to the doctor and the hospital for treatment and she was diagnosed with diarrhoea and treated.
“However, her condition worsened on Tuesday when she started passing blood and we had to help her into bed.
“I didn’t go to work on Wednesday (August 10) and we rushed her to hospital, however she passed away on her way to hospital. I contacted Musa Mbhele last week due to the fact that Rashnie passed away after consuming contaminated water. I have not received a response and we have not received any support or even a visit from the municipality after the death of Rashnie. We want to be compensated by the municipality for the position that we are in now with my two children having lost their mother.”
Dean Macpherson, DA KwaZulu-Natal chairperson said the party visited the family last Friday.
“The DA delegation heard firsthand, the heartache that the family is going through. Community members also informed the DA, that they also experienced mild symptoms of diarrhoea that eventually led to the municipality cutting the water supply.
“To date, they are dependent on water tankers and donations from NGOs for clean water.”
Macpherson said the family had received no support from the municipality following the death.
“This is completely unacceptable and a cold-hearted position from the political and administrative leadership in the city. The DA is exploring a number of options including legal action against the worsening water crisis, and will support the Baijnath family as they seek justice and compensation for their loss if the city is found to be responsible.”
EThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela confirmed that the city received correspondence from Baijnath.
“The correspondence is receiving attention. We can only confirm the municipality’s response once this is finalised.”