The uncle of a seven-year-old boy being kept alive by life support machines in an East London hospital reunited with him yesterday.
This is according to a hospital source who further stated the unidentified family member was briefed on the boy’s condition.
“The uncle visited the poor boy and understands his condition. The family have decided to bring the mom to see her son herself and then make a decision about whether to turn the ventilator off or not.
“The mom understandably is hoping her child pulls through despite his poor prognosis,” the source said.
The boy was pronounced brain dead on Wednesday afternoon by a neurosurgeon after being shot in the head by unknown assailants while on his way to school.
He was in a vehicle driven by his father, who was also shot and died on the scene.
Two other children aged five and 11 were seated on the back of the bakkie when a car with a Cape Town registration plate pulled up and opened fire.
The incident occurred on a dirt road in Tsojana village, Tsomo.
The boy was initially taken to Cofimvaba Hospital and later airlifted to Frere Hospital.
He was admitted with gunshot wounds to the chest and head. His chances of survival were placed at 1% by doctors when they discovered a bullet lodged inside his head, rendering an operation impossible.
Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the boy, Mnombo Gumede, remained critical in hospital.
“He remains on a ventilator and the prognosis is very poor. However, doctors will wait for the family to decide whether to switch off the machines or not,” Kupelo said.
More details emerged yesterday with family member Gcobani Matomane saying the two children seated at the back were also the deceased man’s children.
The deceased was identified as 52-year-old Ntuthuzelo Gumede.
Matomane said he was not aware of the motive for the shooting.
“This man was self-employed. He did odd jobs of picking up water and sand for villagers with his bakkie,” he said.
Police spokeswoman Captain Namhla Mdleleni said no arrests had been made.
A case of murder and attempted murder have been opened by Tsomo police for investigation. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Family will decide on fate of child
This is according to a hospital source who further stated the unidentified family member was briefed on the boy’s condition.
“The uncle visited the poor boy and understands his condition. The family have decided to bring the mom to see her son herself and then make a decision about whether to turn the ventilator off or not.
“The mom understandably is hoping her child pulls through despite his poor prognosis,” the source said.
The boy was pronounced brain dead on Wednesday afternoon by a neurosurgeon after being shot in the head by unknown assailants while on his way to school.
He was in a vehicle driven by his father, who was also shot and died on the scene.
Two other children aged five and 11 were seated on the back of the bakkie when a car with a Cape Town registration plate pulled up and opened fire.
The incident occurred on a dirt road in Tsojana village, Tsomo.
The boy was initially taken to Cofimvaba Hospital and later airlifted to Frere Hospital.
He was admitted with gunshot wounds to the chest and head. His chances of survival were placed at 1% by doctors when they discovered a bullet lodged inside his head, rendering an operation impossible.
Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the boy, Mnombo Gumede, remained critical in hospital.
“He remains on a ventilator and the prognosis is very poor. However, doctors will wait for the family to decide whether to switch off the machines or not,” Kupelo said.
More details emerged yesterday with family member Gcobani Matomane saying the two children seated at the back were also the deceased man’s children.
The deceased was identified as 52-year-old Ntuthuzelo Gumede.
Matomane said he was not aware of the motive for the shooting.
“This man was self-employed. He did odd jobs of picking up water and sand for villagers with his bakkie,” he said.
Police spokeswoman Captain Namhla Mdleleni said no arrests had been made.
A case of murder and attempted murder have been opened by Tsomo police for investigation. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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