Tragic Death of Infant During Protest Chaos
A MONTH-OLD baby’s life tragically ended amid a chaotic protest that erupted in Happy Valley on Monday.
The demonstration, which led to the arrest of four individuals, obstructed the newborn’s parents from reaching the hospital.
Mother Jasmine Joseph, 37, shared that she awoke after 5am on Monday to find her daughter MayLynn unresponsive and unwilling to feed.
Joseph told the Daily Voice that upon realizing they could not summon an ambulance to their home in Happy Valley due to the protest, she and MayLynn’s father, Manuel, chose to walk to the police station.
“We were effectively held hostage, no one was permitted in or out,” Joseph stated.
“I feel let down by this protest that turned chaotic and by the police officials as well.”
“When we reached the police station around 6:30am, had they arranged for a van to take us to Eerste River hospital, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“My chest is so sore, I could barely lift my arms because my child was supposed to drink my milk, but due to ‘third parties’ she is no longer with us.”
The mother further recounted that while they waited in the trauma room at the Mfuleni police station, teargas filled the air, and in that moment, it felt like her daughter was slipping away.
“It was like you could see death in the child’s eyes, and as a parent, you have to endure such things, but the teargas was absent when we arrived,” she explained.
A police official later lent assistance and took them to a medical facility; however, after 20 minutes of resuscitation attempts, her little flower sadly passed away.
The mother believes that if she had received help sooner, things may have turned out differently and now questions her own actions, feeling as though she failed her precious child.
Joseph added that when she held MayLynn in her arms post-passing, she was still warm. MayLynn’s nine-year-old brother continues to search for his sister, unable to comprehend what happened. But Joseph reassures him, saying, “She’s sleeping in Jesus’ arms.”
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie commented on the situation: “Reports indicate that the mother and child were aided by officers who escorted them to the Eerste River day hospital between 6 and 7am after the mother approached them with her sick child.”
“Emergency responders couldn’t access the area due to the protest’s dangers, so they stepped in to provide necessary assistance before the unruly crowd dispersed after 9am.”
Ward Councillor Kariena Mare mentioned she has been in contact with Jasmine and Manuel during this challenging time.
“It seems the baby was unwell when they woke up, but due to the strike, they couldn’t get an ambulance in,” Mare said.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that a baby’s passing could be caused by actions that could have been avoided if people had listened.”