COVID-19 has killed at least 17 individuals in Shanghai, China. The first deaths were recorded on Monday, April 18th, and the city’s 25 million citizens have been living in fear for the past four weeks.
The South African Consulate in Shanghai and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), according to a group of South Africans living in Shanghai, are not doing enough to assist citizens.
The South African sent questions to the consulate and DIRCO on Tuesday, April 19th, regarding the alleged death of a South African woman in Shanghai, as well as questions about reports of citizens “unable to access food, water, and basic necessities” and a petition requesting urgent consular intervention.
Clayson Monyela, the DIRCO spokeswoman and Head of Public Diplomacy, answered the questions over the phone the next day, April 20.
Noma Blackie, a South African teacher in a Shanghai school, died lately, according to Monyela. He stated the family had been notified and that the matter was being handled, but he couldn’t go into specifics about her death.
Monyela, on the other hand, refuted assertions that South Africans are unable to interact with the Consulate-General.
The lockdown, he added, affected everyone, including Consul-General Mpho Hlahla and her employees, as previously reported.
“They are also under a tight lockdown, so the assumption that they can give services from the consulate – I’m not sure where that comes from because they are under a severe lockdown themselves.”
“Under these stringent lockdown conditions, they are attempting to work from home.” As a result, the Consul General has created a WeChat group to engage with South Africans.”
The South African reported a telegram signed by Hlahla acknowledging Noma Blackie’s death in response to our original inquiry. This statement, which The South African saw in a screenshot, was posted in a WeChat group set up by the CG to connect with South African citizens in Shanghai, according to Monyela.
“You’re referring to a communication from the CG that you saw in a WeChat group.” They were able to capture a screenshot and send it to you because she utilizes the same platform to connect with all of them. It originates with her.
“So, if she’s able to communicate, she uses the platform to share information with them.” So, the assumption that they don’t acquire information or that she can’t communicate is debunked by the data in front of you.
“You can really use that number to call the CG on the group where everyone is if you want to connect with her directly.” Her phone is among the group. Everyone in the circle knows her phone number.”
‘GROUP DOES NOT EXIST’
On Thursday, April 21, two South Africans in Shanghai disputed the existence of such a group, in which the CG or consulate officials can connect with them directly.
Farzeen Rashed*, a media worker, and Demi Brodie, a teacher, both reported the message was placed as a group announcement on a social WeChat group used by South African expatriates for socializing such as organizing braais or watching rugby.
The South African also saw correspondence from one of the social circles, which revealed that none of the participants knew who Monyela was talking about.
The consulate, according to Farzeen, has an official WeChat channel that it uses to notify embassy closures and other communications. She went on to say that the channel is just for one-way communication and that citizens cannot interact with the embassy using it.
Farzeen stated that contacting the embassy by email or phone is simple, but that there is no guarantee of a response. Citizens are aware of a phone number that connects them to the Vice-Consul in case of an emergency.
“No one has heard of Clayson’s WeChat group,” says the narrator. “To me, it appears to be misinformation,” Farzeen remarked.
Demi claims that no one in the South African social networks she belongs to is aware of the CG’s WeChat group.
“I am a member of two South African groups, one with over 500 members and the other with around 150, and no one seems to know about it.”
“I believe one of our members has made touch with her.” Actually, I have no idea who it is; we just get cryptic communications from’someone close to the CG,’ but I have no idea what that means.”
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