Twelve year old disabled boy dies a lonely painful death in a one room shack in Coffee Farm, KwaZulu-Natal
Disabled twelve year old Nondumiso Zondi died a lonely and sad death. He was buried at home on Sunday 6 November, morning following his death on Saturday, 5 November afternoon in the shack he spent the 12 years of his life. His father Mdu Zondi (31) allegedly buried him in a shallow grave and did not report the death of his son.
The disabled son had been bed-ridden for twelve years in the backyard of his family home and was not attending school.
He had cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement, posture and coordination.
On Wednesday, 9 November a whistle blower alerted Deputy Minister of Social Development Mme Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu about a child, Nondumiso Zondi (12) with cerebral palsy whose family allegedly would leave him in a one room shack by himself with the TV playing on maximum volume.
His grandmother who was collecting a grant on his behalf had passed away in May this year. Leaving his stepmother as his primary care giver.
The whistle blower further spoke about how the child had died on Saturday afternoon and was buried on Sunday morning. The family did not notify authorities about Nondumiso’s death.
This prompted Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu to visit the Zondi family on Thursday, 10 November “that night after being told about Nondumiso I could not sleep I kept on praying and pleading with God that there would be no truth to this story” said Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu.
Nontuthuko Zondi (28) Nondumiso’s step mother confirmed to Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu that her step son had died on Saturday after a short illness, because of the lack of funds, Nondumiso’s father Mdu Zondi and 3 of his friends dug a grave for him and buried him on Sunday morning at 08:00 where family members and some neighbours had attended the funeral.
KwaNdengezi police were immediately notified by Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu and the Search and Rescue team exhumed Nondumiso’s body which was sent to the Pinetown state mortuary.
According to the latest quarterly crime statistics, there were 243 children murdered between April and June – 2022.
“This happens during Disability Right Awareness Month, disabled children deserve a right to a dignified life just like any other child” said Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu.
Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) is an annual campaign currently underway from 03 November to 03 December, under the theme; “Empowering Persons with Disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environment.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of the boy.
Source: Government of South Africa