Family decides on legal route after accident at school in Standerton area
The family was told that the doctors will only be able to assess his son's condition after six months.
The father of the paralysed Melokuhle Tshabalala (9), has taken legal action after an incident at Nyandeni Primary School on November 12 last year.
Nkosana Tshabalala visited the Standerton Advertiser when his child’s scholastic future, as well as physical condition, became of paramount importance.
A tree fell down on his son during a fundraiser that day and learners were playing outside.
The young boy sustained critical injuries and was taken to Standerton Hospital before being transferred to Witbank Hospital.
In a memorandum dated December 20, the Witbank Hospital confirmed that he is a paraplegic.
The memorandum stated that he sustained polytraumatic injuries to the brain, legs and spine.
He underwent a spine operation to stabilise the fractures and according to his father, his right lung was also injured.
The newspaper has contacted the school on more than one occasion and left messages.
WhatsApp-messages were also sent on several occasions to the spokesman of the department of education, Jasper Zwane.
According to the father, he signed a report at the HOD of the department of education and requested the available CCTV-footage of the incident.
According to the father, he has not received the footage, as promised.
The father also wanted private hospital care for his son, to be paid by the department.
Tshabalala said on a previous occasion that the situation must be addressed by the department, providing a care worker and home schooling to be introduced.
He added that the family was told that the doctors will only be able to assess his son’s condition after six months.
The Standerton Advertiser also visited the family on Friday, January 21.
His father takes great care to ensure that Melokuhle stays clean and is being turned in bed, from time to time, to prevent sores forming.
Schools in Mpumalanga opened on January 12, but not for a boy, now wheelchair-bound.
His father appealed to the community for diapers and toys to be donated.
Donations can be delivered to the offices of the newspaper in 13B Burger Street, Standerton.
The newspaper contacted the advocate of the family on Wednesday, March 2 who promised to get back to us.
An enquiry was made as to the progress on the case.
No feedback was received from any of the quarters approached at the time of going to press.
