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A one month-old baby, whose three fingers and part of her nose were eaten by rats in Alexandra, Johannesburg, is awaiting surgery, as her family cannot afford it.
The New Age reports that the rats attacked Erena Yekanyi at her home last Monday.
It says the baby will continue to await reconstructive surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital until her mother is able to raise funds for the procedure.
According to the newspaper, children and the elderly have reportedly been killed in their sleep by rodents that are said to be larger than normal rats.
City of Johannesburg spokesperson, Nkosinathi Nkabinde told the daily that informal settlements were prone to rat infestation due to the improper handling of domestic waste.
He said the city had implemented various strategies to eradicate the problem.
