The Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu has lashed out at a family for burying a 12-year-old without a death certificate or a coffin.She ordered that the body to be exhumed so that a proper and dignified burial can be performed. Bogopane-Zulu visited the Zondi family from Coffee Farm KwaNdengezi in KwaZulu-Natal after being alerted by a whistle-blower about this inhumane act.

TOUCHING A NERVE

The child who had Cerebral Palsy allegedly died on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday morning the family dug a hole and tossed him inside. The Zondi family  did all this without informing officials or registering the death. Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects movement, posture and coordination. Bogopane-Zulu expressed pain and anger in what the family had done. "Niyanghlanyisa (you're drive me insane) when you do such. You mess with a child with a disability, you mess with me. I was born blind, and attended a school for the blind. My two children are blind, my grandchild is blind and I know exactly how they feel."

A DIGNIFIED FUNERAL

She said she fought very hard to be where she is today because people with disabilities are treated like they don't have a place in society. " I know what it feels like to be excluded and be the odd one out. If you did not have means to bury the child , you should have asked for help. We are going to give the child a proper send off because I'm sure none of you would have been buried in this manner,"said Bogopane-Zulu. She said whether or not she will be able to make it to the funeral won't matter but she will ensure that the dignity of the deceased is restored.

The cause of death is a subject for investigation.