Durban — National Department of Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu became emotional and drew on her personal experiences when she visited the family of a boy (who was) living with cerebral palsy who was buried without officials being notified and no death certificate.
On Thursday, national Department of Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu visited the Zondi family at Coffee Farm, KwaNdengezi in KwaZulu-Natal.
The department said the visit was after Bogopane-Zulu was alerted by a whistle-blower that a 12-year-old disabled child with cerebral palsy had died on Saturday afternoon (last week) and buried on Sunday morning. Officials were not notified and no death certificate was issued.
The department said cerebral palsy is a condition that affects movement, posture and co-ordination. These problems may be seen at or around the time of birth.
“The search and rescue team exhumed the body and sent it to the Pinetown mortuary. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of death,” the department said.
In a video, a visibly upset Bogopane-Zulu, who is believed to be speaking to the family is heard saying they would help the family because they wanted the child to have dignity. Whether she will be at the funeral or not, they will help.
“I’m disabled. I was born without sight. I have two children who cannot see. I went to a school for the blind. My two children can’t see, even my grandchild cannot see.
“So when it comes to a disability you make me crazy. I go crazy when it comes to children living with disabilities,” Bogopane-Zulu.
She repeated that she went crazy when it came to children living with a disability.
“I fought for my dignity. I fought for it until I became a deputy minister. I had no dignity, I was just like him.”
When the body was exhumed and placed on the ground those in attendance, including officials, sang a hymn.
IOL reported that police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said it was alleged the child was buried without the police being informed of his death.
She said the circumstances surrounding the incident were being probed and an inquest had been opened.
KZN Department of Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza commended the joint effort by the police, department and community members, which led to the exhumation of the body of the boy.
The incident occurred during National Disability Rights Awareness Month, which is commemorated annually between November 3 and December 3.
Community members raised the alarm with the deputy minister which prompted her to travel to the province and make arrangements for the exhumation process.
The dead boy lived with his stepmother and father.
MEC Khoza expressed concern that the family never sought medical help even though they noticed that the health condition of the boy had deteriorated.
“We are hurt a lot by this matter. The child was known to the department and had previously received a grant. The child was often attended by the local service office. We would have expected that the family would inform us about his situation,” Khoza said.
She said the quick burial of the boy raised a lot of concerns but she found solace that the police were involved when the body was exhumed on Thursday.
“We hope that since the child has been exhumed so that a post-mortem will be conducted, light will be shed on what led to the death. We are grateful to the deputy minister and all people who played a role in ensuring that the matter reaches authorities,” Khoza said.
She urged communities to avoid disregarding laws.
“No person should be buried without his or her passing being registered with Home Affairs. We are happy that now the child will now be given a decent send-off,” Khoza said.
She dispatched a team of social workers to provide psycho-social support to the family until the funeral takes place.
The search and rescue team exhumed the body which was taken to the Pinetown mortuary.
Daily News