The worst fear for most people is to vanish from the face of the earth, and nobody bat an eyelid.
That sadly was the frank reality for Sheila Seleoane.
Due to the pandemic, a lot of things and people were swept under the carpet.
Sheila Seleoane a medical secretary lay dead in her Peckham flat for over 2 years, and her skeletal remains was only discovered by a recent welfare check.
What I love about this ongoing inquiry in Southwark Crown it gives voice to the voiceless literally, a person who was so badly let down by the system.
So many more details are coming out which makes for troubling reading, and will definitely spark more outcry.
Her rent was taken directly from her benefits, and her electricity and water was cut off, but still no investigation into her well-being.
No family checked on her , as they were distant in Africa, and several of them died before her untimely demise.
And prior to her death Sheila was complaining about health issues.
The also disturbing fact that came to light residents were complaining about a smell ,and their concerns were dismissed ,and when they were promised of a welfare check, the police did one allegedly without actually going in, and reassured the residents by saying everything was OK.
This case just wreaks of constitutional failure and bigotry.
If she were a middle-class -upper-class Caucasian woman would she have truly been ignored by the authorities?
This case makes me really envy and admire the African culture of closeness and knowing the ins and outs of your community ,and taking care of and treasuring the elderly and vulnerable.
I think it’s a common fact in some places in Britain there’s still some reservedness.
Don’t get me wrong community spirit does exist, but it’s in short supply in many areas.
Like in London if you say randomly to a person are you alright you’ll be met with detest.
While in a village setting like Leeds it’s a common custom.
This case made me realize I appreciate my mum more she and me checked on our elderly neigbour , and even did her gardening.
Not because we felt obliged, but because we wanted her to feel she’s not on her own.
I really hope her death won’t be in vain, and lessons can be learnt from this case, and I hope the vulnerable in society will get more of the right allocation of essential resources.
DARN the pandemic.
It cost taxpayers money.
It costs lives.
But it also cost people their dignity.
