Watch: Mother throws 2-year-old child from burning building into the arms of passerby in South Africa

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, July 16 

In a frantic effort to protect her child, a mother threw her 2-year-old child from a burning building in South Africa to passersby standing below. 

The stunning moment was captured on camera and, thankfully, the mother and child were later reunited.

The mother, Naledi Manyoni, was filmed by BBC cameraman Thuthuka Zondi throwing her daughter, Melokuhle, from a burning building amid ongoing riots in Durban. 

Several people can be seen hurrying to the scene to help the mother and convincing her to throw the child into their arms. 

South Africa has deployed soldiers on the streets to quell the violence that erupted in the wake of former president Jacob Zuma’s jailing, after days of riots left at least six people dead.

The police said disturbances were intensifying and 219 people had been arrested as the controversial ex-leader challenged his 15-month prison term in the country’s top court.

Smoke from burning buildings swirled in the air as items from burgled shops lay strewn by the side of the road in Pietermaritzburg in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Opportunistic criminals appear to be taking advantage of the anger some feel over Zuma’s incarceration to steal and cause destruction, the police said.—with Reuters