By Kaya 959 News
The KwaZulu-Natal community is outraged after a five-year-old boy was dumped at the side of the road after he did not have taxi money to pay for his trip.
It is alleged that the boy was dumped at the side of the road in Canelands in Verulam, north of Durban, after he confessed that he did not have money to pay for his trip home from school.
Reaction Unit SA spokesperson, Prem Balram, says they were alerted to the incident on Monday afternoon.
“Members of RUSA attempted to locate the child’s family after residents in Station Park in Canelands, found the boy crying at the side of the road,” he says.
The boy was unable to provide information about where he lived or the school he attends.
Balram says he could also not give full details on his parents.
“A book was found in his bag which confirmed that he was a Grade R pupil,” he says.
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Boy reunited with family
The post was shared thousands of times across various social media platforms and after a few hours, the boy was reunited with his family.
Balram says the boy was transported by RUSA member, Angel Mpiri, after a woman said she knew the youngster.
“Mpiri was met by a woman who informed her that she knew the child and she gave directions to where the boy lived. He was reunited with his family.”
Residents expressed outrage at the driver’s actions.
“This is the worst cruelty I ever heard of the taxi driver. If found must be removed from the taxi sector and his PDP be revoked forever. Thank you very much to the community and RUSA well done guys much appreciated,” Musa Hector commented.
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Mariette Pressly added, “This poor child and the trauma he must’ve experienced. Could the driver not think for himself that this is a child for heaven’s sake!”
“I’m sorry but this is completely UNACCEPTABLE! That taxi driver needs to be arrested for child endangerment or something! How can you leave a child by the side of the road like that! I’m sure he wouldn’t have lost that much money. Where is his Ubuntu! I’m glad the little man is safe and sound,” said Phillip Boonzaier.



