Emalahleni – The grieving family of 13-year-old Siyamthanda Nkosi, who died on 26 June at an initiation school, marched to Vosman Police Station to demand answers and progress about the case.
“All I wanted was an update on what’s happening with the case, but there was no response. That’s why we decided to protest,” said Nkosi’s grandmother, Bongisiwe.
Bongisiwe said Nkosi ran away from home and attended the initiation school at Emalahleni without his family’s consent. While at the school, he fell seriously ill with diarrhoea, which tragically led to his death.
Bongisiwe said the family was never informed of Nkosi’s condition until they received a call from the Local Clinic—only to be told upon arrival that Siyamthanda had already died.
“I was devastated. We had no idea he was even sick,” said Bongisiwe.
The family’s march to demand answers was supported by advocacy organisations such as KwaneleMama Foundation and Emalahleni Civic Foundation, along with concerned community members who stood in solidarity, demanding accountability and transparency from law enforcement.
In response to the protest, the Vosman Police Station finally provided the family with a long-awaited update, informing them that investigators are still waiting for postmortem and DNA results to determine the exact cause of Nkosi’s diarrhoea.
No arrests have been made at this stage.
“We sat down with the family and explained to them that these things take time and we understand their frustration,” said Vosman Police Station communication officer Captain Mnisi.
Mnisi added that he informed the lead detective to urge their counterparts, a laboratory in Pretoria, to prioritise the matter.
While the community continues to rally around the Nkosi family, calls grow louder for stricter regulations and oversight of initiation schools to prevent further tragedies.
Portia Makgatha, a member of the KwaneleMama Foundation in solidarity with the family, said: “Siyamthanda’s life cannot be lost in vain.”
