Mother of drowned boy plans to go to court

Her grief and suffering was visible as she recounted the ordeal she has been through since the tragic death of her so

July 1, 2014

Sipho Zama 1 minute read

It’s been almost four weeks since eight-year-old Nhlanhla ‘Mlungu’ Sabelo Shoba was found drowned in a water reservoir tank at Inkanyezi Special Needs School.

The mother is now planning to take the matter to court because she says she is very unhappy about the investigation so far.
The Ladysmith Gazette went to speak to the boy’s mother at her home and found her busy at her tuck shop. Eulet Bonga Shoba is unemployed and a single mother.

Her grief and suffering was visible as she recounted the ordeal she has been through since the tragic death of her son. She describes Mlungu not only as her son, but as the “man of the house” and breadwinner because of the disability grant he received. She used this money for everything she needed around the house.
When the boy was found drowned, all entrances to the water pit were sealed. Only a 30cm breather hole was open. However, speculation is rife that the water tank had remained wide open for some time before the drowning.
According to Eulot Shoba, the tragedy happened just four days after her son started taking the school taxi. “I always took him to school myself and collected him after school to make sure he was safe. When the lady who drives the school bus came to me on the day of the incident, asking me if my son had arrived home, my world came tumbling down and I knew something bad had happened,” she explained as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

She also told the Ladysmith Gazette that she did not want to take her son to school at all on the day of the incident, as she had a bad feeling that something awful would happen. “Something needs to be done about this and I will make sure I get all the answers I need. That’s why I’m preparing to go to the lawyers,” she added. Police have not yet commented on whether any progress has been made in the case.