Family in debt after son’s death
Community assist grieving family after child's murder.
THE grieving Makhoba family in uGobandlovu found themselves in serious debt following the brutal murder of their six-year-old son, Thabiso Makhoba.
His body was found in an eSikhaleni mine property last Saturday, days after he went missing.
It was alleged that his stepfather, who later handed himself to the police, was behind the brutal murder.
His mother, Nonhlanhla Makhoba, said her boyfriend had informed her that he had killed the boy.
The family’s grandmother, Joyce Makhoba, said they did not have money for the burial and sought help from loan sharks.
‘It was bad because none of us work in the family. We managed to buy a coffin and pay the mortuary with the loan. ‘Even now, we owe some money to people who helped us with transport. We also had no food for the funeral service.
‘I tried to contact the councillor, but to no avail. I went to his house on Thursday, but he told me it was too late for us to get help from the municipality,’ she said.
On Tuesday, the Zululand Observer contacted ward 14 councillor, Mdu Khumalo, who said he was not aware of the tragic incident.
‘Normally, we help families in these situations, but when they informed me, it was too late. I can’t know everything that happens in my ward,’ said Khumalo
Food collection campaign
In a project spearheaded by the Zululand Observer journalist, Wellington Makwakwa, who initially broke the story, the community intervened and assisted the family.
On Saturday, ward 16 Cllr Nonhlanhla Cele, wrote a letter that was used to collect donations.
Musicians, models and artists also assisted the grieving family. On Saturday, the group had raised more than R800 worth of groceries.
Thabiso was laid to rest at eMpembeni on Sunday.
