Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Retief Odendaal, has extended the municipality’s heartfelt condolences to the family of 15-year-old Zenizole Vena, who died at a police station in Motherwell last week while waiting for an ambulance.
Zenizole had allegedly been abducted and gang-raped but managed to escape her attackers and was at the police station, seeking assistance, when she passed away. Zenizole was allegedly sent away from Motherwell Clinic and told to go to the police station instead.
“On behalf of the municipality and the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolence to the Vena family. No one should ever have to endure what Zenizole endured,” Odendaal said.
He added that the municipality was deeply concerned about the reported circumstances surrounding Zenizole’s death and said that the municipality would be engaging with the provincial MECs for Health and Community Safety to get clarity on what had happened.
“We are calling for a full investigation into the matter. This should never have happened, and we must make sure that it never happens again!”
Odendaal said that the municipality understood that the community of Motherwell was rightfully angry over Zenizole’s death, but called for calm while the circumstances surrounding her death were investigated.
“Yesterday afternoon Public Health MMC, Thsonono Buyeye and I met with management from the Department of Health regarding the NU 11 Clinic, which the community has since shut down. We have had a lengthy engagement, and we understand that this is an extremely sensitive situation,” he said.
Mayor Odendaal said that he had been informed that clinic staff had been threatened and that they were afraid to return to work.
“We understand that people are angry, but we cannot allow that anger to cause more harm by depriving others of their right to healthcare.”
Odendaal also mentioned that he had since asked the ward councillor in the area to engage with the community and call for calm.
“We all want justice for Zenizole, and I will make whatever resources at my disposal available to ensure that this happens, but we must do this the right way.”
Odendaal will be meeting with the Vena family tomorrow morning.
