Duduza – A grieving family is seeking answers following the death of five-month-old Ncobile Mokoena, alleging that a series of events involving a neighbourhood dispute, police procedures and medical treatment may have contributed to the tragedy.

According to a relative, Linah Mdluli, the incident stems from an alleged altercation between two neighbouring families that turned violent on June 5.

The baby’s mother, Refilwe Mokoena (19), was allegedly assaulted during the dispute and subsequently went to a police station to open a case.

It is said that Refilwe had to fill in a J88 form and, upon returning to the police station to submit it and open a case, Mdluli claimed that Refilwe was informed that both families had opened cases against one another.

She was later arrested along with other family members.

“We were told that they were transferred to Tsakane Police Station because Duduza Police Station does not have holding cells,” said Mdluli.

At the time, Ncobile was reportedly left in the care of the father, Mthokozisi Ganyane (22).

According to the family, the infant’s grandmother later went to the Tsakane Police Station after learning of the mother’s arrest and requested that Refilwe be allowed to breastfeed or express milk for the baby.

“The police told the grandmother that they could not grant access for the child to be fed,” Mdluli claimed.

The family alleges that the grandmother returned home, where the baby’s cries became increasingly intense due to hunger.

“She then bought formula milk for the child at a nearby spaza shop, but that ended badly,” said Mdluli.

The family further alleges that the infant reacted negatively to the formula and was taken to Dunnottar Clinic before being transferred to Pholosong Regional Hospital for further medical attention.

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According to Mdluli, the baby was not admitted and was later discharged.

The family claims that the father Ganyane went to the Tsakane Police Station to ask if the mother could feed the child and was eventually allowed access to the mother so that she could breastfeed the infant.

“The father returned home with the fed baby, but the child later passed away,” added Mdluli.

“The cause of death remains unknown to us, and we have not received clear answers.”

The family alleges that they later visited the hospital seeking information regarding the baby’s death.

“We were told that the child died of natural causes. A nurse also informed us that the baby had a lung and respiratory infection,” cited Mdluli.

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Mdluli says that as a family, they are wondering why the baby was not admitted into the hospital while suffering from a lung and respiratory infection.

The family has also questioned why the mother was allegedly not allowed to breastfeed her child while in custody.

“We went to the police station to ask why the mother was denied the opportunity to feed her baby,” she mentioned.

The family further claims that they were contacted by the Tsakane SAPS station commander, who requested that they come to the station on June 7.

“On arrival, the station commander explained that the detective in charge of the case was not available at the time.

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“He also clarified that the mother would appear in court on June 8, and that we could not see her,” she said.

The family says it is not seeking conflict but rather clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.

They hope that obtaining answers from both the police and healthcare authorities will help them find closure following the loss of their child.

The Duduza SAPS confirmed that they are aware of the case but cannot confirm anything, as it is under investigation.

An inquiry was also sent to the Pholosong Regional Hospital on June 11, but no response had been received by the time of publication.