DISABLED ORPHANS HIDDEN FROM FACE OF THE WORLD

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.

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