DISABLED 12-year-old Nondumiso Zondi died a lonely and sad death.
Nondumiso was buried at home on Sunday, 6 November, in the morning following his death on Saturday, 5 November.
He died in the shack, where he spent the 12 years of his life.
As if that was not painful enough, his father Mdu Zondi (31) allegedly buried him in a shallow grave and did not report the death of his son.
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This was according to a statement by Social Development spokeswoman Lumka Olifant.
Olifant said: “The disabled son had been bedridden 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 whistleblower alerted Deputy Minister of Social Development 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,” she added.
Olifant said the whistleblower 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 Bogopane-Zulu.
Nontuthuko Zondi (28), Nondumiso’s stepmother confirmed to Bogopane-Zulu that her stepson had died on Saturday after a short illness, because of the lack of funds, Mdu and three of his friends dug a grave for him and buried him on Sunday morning at 8am where family members and some neighbours attended the funeral.
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KwaNdengezi police were notified by Bogopane-Zulu and the Search and Rescue team exhumed Nondumiso’s body which was sent to the Pinetown state mortuary.
“This happened during Disability Right Awareness Month. Disabled children deserve a right to a dignified life just like any other child,” said 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 a resourceful, sustainable and safe environment.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of the boy.
