Boy (9) loses eye in fight at water-point

Gibson Mhaka

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy from Bulawayo suffered a gruesome injury on his right eye when it was repeatedly poked with a stick until it was permanently damaged during a fight with a boy reportedly of the same age.

According to reports, the incident occurred on 9 March and the injured eye was removed after doctors ruled that it may not regain sight. The victim Mthokozisi Muzamanai and the boy accused of the attack are both doing Grade 5 at Ngwalongwalo Primary School in Pumula South.

In an interview with B-Metro, Enock Muzamani (52), the victim’s father, said he was left feeling “very sad and angry” after discovering that his son will never regain sight in his right eye and needs weekly hospital appointments to check his condition.

“The incident occurred at around 7pm. My son, who was doing his homework, went outside saying he needed a rubber to erase a mistake. That is when he went to the tap where other children were fetching water and he was unexpectedly struck with mud by the accused boy.

“A fight ensued, with both boys pulling each other. The accused boy’s sister intervened, restraining my son, which allowed the attacker to repeatedly poke him in the eye with a stick. He cried out, attracting his mother’s attention. Initially believing it to be a minor injury, she attempted first aid with warm water and a towel,” said a tearful Muzamani.

He said the following day the boy’s eye was reportedly full of blood and it was causing a build-up of pressure.

“That is when they called me from work and I rushed home. Due to transport problems, we got to the hospital at around 11pm.

Doctors were, however, unable to save his eye and it was removed after they ruled that it may not regain vision. The condition still causes him pain, he cannot see words clearly, and he constantly walks into objects and nearly falls over,” said the victim’s father.

He adds: “This incident has caused me considerable distress and I understand the residents share my concern. What troubles me most is the lack of any apology from the accused boy’s parents. My son is young and now vulnerable. The potential long-term impact of this injury on his life is a source of great worry. Given the severity of the situation, I believe compensation for my son’s medical expenses and future needs is warranted.”

He said the other children who witnessed the incident were scared by what they saw.

“They described the accused boy at one point repeatedly poking my son’s eye with a stick. After that he was heard bragging about what he had done,” he said.

The victim’s father is now waging a battle with the accused boy’s parents and has since filed a case at Nkulumane Police Station. The mother of the accused boy, however, denied allegations of non-co-operation.

“What I understand is that the boys were fighting and my son was tied up by the victim with a rope around his neck and stepped on his stomach. In self-defence, he grabbed a stick and hit him with it. It’s not true that I’m not cooperating. I gave them US$40 towards the hospital expenses. I also drove them to the hospital in my brother’s car and offered to pay for the boy’s medical bills. After he was discharged from the hospital, I didn’t hear anything until a resident suggested I apologise.

Knowing the parents were upset, I considered asking five male residents to apologise on my behalf. However, before they could go, the police called me on Wednesday and advised us to visit the social welfare department,” she said.