Times Of Swaziland: DISABLED ORPHANS HIDDEN  FROM FACE OF THE WORLD

DISABLED ORPHANS HIDDEN  FROM FACE OF THE WORLD
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BY SIBUSISO SHANGE on 11/07/2016 05:05:00


MBABANE – Hidden from the face of the world can best describe the situation of
two double orphaned children who have been concealed due to their strange
disability, suspected to be as a result of polio.
Their family was allegedly given strict instructions not to ever show the
children to anyone or even discuss their condition in public.
It has been alleged by the head of the family where the two children stay that
officials from certain government offices barred and gave strict instructions
not to show the children to anyone because making their condition known would
place the country in bad light.
The children suffer from a rare disability and some of those who  know about the
children suspect they suffer from polio.
The double orphaned children are ‘hidden’ in a certain homestead at
LaMgabhi, Etiyeni.
The two children aged, 16 and eight years, who have never walked since they were
born, are suffering from a strange disease and its symptoms are similar to those
of polio as both have shrunk muscles and can only crawl.
They both cannot talk.
The head of the family, Edward Hlophe, who is a step grandfather of the
children, alleged that he got an instruction from some government officials not
to expose the children to the public as such could paint a bad image of the
country with the United Nations.
Upon a visit to the homestead after some members of the community were heard
talking about the children, they were found with their step grandfather at the
homestead.
In an interview, Hlophe, confirmed that some government officials warned them
against revealing the children to the public. Hlophe said when the officials
arrived at the homestead to check on the children, they took some pictures of
them from their back and warned the family against allowing anyone else to do
so.
“Please do not take the picture of the children, we were warned against
allowing anyone to take their pictures because these might be leaked to the
United Nations and thus paint a bad image of the country.
“It’s just that I’m old and I cannot recall the ministry but the officials
emphasised that we should not allow anyone to take  pictures of the children,”
Hlophe said when he noted that this reporter was preparing to take pictures.
However, when the essence of the pictures was explained to him, Hlophe gave his
consent.