A Braamfischerville family in Soweto wants answers after a shocking thing happened to their son.
This after their five-year-old boy was allegedly burnt with boiling water on his lower body while at an overnight day care centre.
ALSO READ | 12-year-old child pregnant after being raped by a neighbour
The kid suffered severe burns and spent six months in hospital.
His wounds are still not healing, and his life has changed for the worst.
He can no longer stand, sit or go to the toilet unaided. He spends the whole day in bed. His 26-year-old mum Relebohile Khoete now takes care of him.
She told Daily Sun she had just started on a stay-in job in October 2024 when she asked a nearby day care centre to look after her son.
“While at work, I received a phone call at about 12pm on 10 November. I was told that my son had been burnt but it wasn’t bad. I asked to be excused from work,” said Relebohile.
She rushed back home only to find her son fighting for his life.
“When I got to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, I found my son in ICU.”
“They told me the fire had penetrated his inside. It was not a minor thing,” said the mum.
She said she confronted the day care teacher.
“I told her I wouldn’t get her arrested if she co-operated. She went to the hospital only once. After that she sent someone with R20, and later R50. I refused to take the money,” Relebohile said.
“That’s not what we agreed on. I didn’t want money. I wanted her to be there throughout my son’s healing journey.”
The mum said she still has no clear answered about what happened.
“When I ask what happened to my kid, she doesn’t give me a straight answer. She only said she poured warm water in the bathtub and when she came back from the kitchen, she found my kid burnt inside the water.”
She said her life has changed since the incident.
“I’ve been in and out of hospital. My son spent six months at Bara, and I had to travel there every day. Now, every week we go to hospital. I’m not working. I pay rent. I don’t have money. I don’t know what to do next.”
Relebohile said she went to the police for help.
“I went to the police station and got her arrested because she didn’t honour our agreement. But police said they want evidence and are still investigating. The suspect is still not arrested,” she said.
“We were admitted again on 2 November for skin grafts because my son is not getting any better. The doctors said his wounds are too deep. That’s why he’s not healing even after a year.
“My son was smart and loved playing. Now, he is forever crying because he can’t play with other kids. It’s painful because my son wasn’t born like this.”
Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed to Daily Sun a case has been opened and is still under investigation.
No arrest has been made.
ALSO READ | Two-month-old child dies after being left by his mom
However, police said the kid was burnt with boiling water at a neighbour’s house.
The Gauteng Department of Education said they have noted our media enquiry.
