Raceview Alberton mother loses a child after drain fall
The grieving 32-year-old from Raceview Alberton told the COURIER when she was seven months pregnant she visited a friend in Rosettenville on September 29.
CHARLENE Nienaber suffered a painful ordeal after losing her newborn because she fell into an open storm-water drain.
The grieving 32-year-old from Raceview Alberton told the COURIER when she was seven months pregnant she visited a friend in Rosettenville on September 29.
After the friends spent the day together, Nienaber was on her way back to the bus stop where she fell into the open drain.
She said from the fall she suffered a few injuries but she could still feel her baby kicking.
“My baby was kicking after the incident and I thought all was okay and I nursed my wounds.
“My husband took me to the clinic the next day and everything seemed perfect. The baby kept kicking, a sign showing my baby is fine,” said Nienaber.
However, she claimed that after a few days she went to the toilet she felt the baby was coming and she could even touch the baby’s head.
“I quickly called my husband and he rushed me to hospital in Germiston. I went into labour and through all the complications I was able to give birth to a premature baby.
“But a few hours later I was told my baby didn’t make it,” she explained.
According to Nienaber, the hospital told her the reason she lost her baby is because of the accident when she fell into the drain.
“I don’t have a child today because our ward councillors don’t pay attention to open drains.
“It is painful to lose something that was going to be in your heart at all times, but because some people failed to do their jobs properly I lost my beloved baby boy,” she said.
Thinking about legal action
Albert Nienaber said losing their baby in such a manner is heartbreaking and he wouldn’t wish it on anyone else.
“What concerns me is why the drain is left in the open because there are children in the Rosettenville area.
“Children can get hurt as well, especially at night because it’s impossible to spot the hole at night,” said Nienaber.
Albert told the COURIER they are thinking of taking legal action against the City for not closing the drain which claimed their baby’s life. He also said they are both going through counselling.
South Rand Hospital
The hospital issued a statement saying this incident is not an easy matter. They have empathy with the parents for the pain they are going through.
“It will be difficult to link the fall the mother took to the loss of the baby’s life as the baby was still moving well after she fell.
“The mother and father may need counselling. Losing a baby is very traumatic and the family will need a lot of support to come to terms with what has happened.”
Councillor Michael Crichton responds
“Firstly, my deepest condolences to the family. The theft of drain covers is a huge problem because they often get sold for scrap metal. At one point they replaced the metal covers with plastic but then it was discovered that the plastic is flammable so homeless people started stealing them for fire material.
“Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) then tried to look for a material that is neither valuable or flammable. They haven’t succeeded in finding this yet. Whenever a resident comes across an open drain I urge them to report it immediately,” said Crichton.
What to do when you see an open drain
To report open drains call 011 375 5555, email hotline@jra.org.za or download the JRA App.
Once one has a reference number they can SMS, WhatsApp or email with the reference number and address it to Crichton on 083 383 6366 or email Michael@ward56jhbsouth.co.za
