Cape Town - The recent violent protests in Zwelihle, Hermanus, has claimed the life of a two-week-old baby girl. Vuyiswa Kapiyane's baby, Anothando, allegedly died from inhaling tear gas during a protest on Friday, News24 reported.
The community had embarked on a violent shutdown, demanding that police release community leader Gcobani Ndzongana, who had been arrested for incitement. The police were forced to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters.
"On Friday, Anothando inhaled tear gas, so we took her to the hospital at 04:00," Kapiyane said. The child later died at the hospital. Western Cape police say no charges have been laid.
The Kapiyane family received R5 000 from a member of community organisation Zwelihle Renewal, Sicelo Gxamesi, which had been collected by the community.
"We are not taking responsibility for what happened, but we are visiting the families because we see how bad it is," Gxamesi said. "(Anothando's parents) are both unemployed, so we gathered some cents to help with the funeral."
Ndzongana will appear in the Hermanus Magistrate's Court on Thursday on charges of incitement and public destruction of property.