Tongue 'slipped out of position'

2003-03-10 22:05

Dumisani Zondi

Pietermaritzburg - Local police have reassured the family of a dead child that his tongue is not missing, but has just slipped out of position.

The funeral of S'khumbuzo Memela (8) was postponed on Saturday after his family thought his tongue had been removed.

S'khumbuzo died on February 25, 11 days after his head was allegedly banged against three other boys' heads by his teacher.

As it was unnatural death, a postmortem examination was held, during which all vital organs are removed and examined to determine the cause of death.

Afterwards they are replaced in the body.

Midlands police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Henry Budhram said: "It does happen sometimes that these organs slip from the original position due to movement of the body as a result of being conveyed.

"The tongue was placed back - it's just that it slipped out of position but it's there," he said.

When the family made their discovery, the matter was reported to the police.

An Alexandra Police Station-based pathologist told police the organ was not lost, but had been replaced.

However, Bulwer station commissioner Captain Steven Cloete said a case of removing a tongue without consent of the family has been opened. When the tongue is found, the case will fall away.

The family's horror was compounded by the belief that the tongue is one of the organs used by witches for muthi.

Teacher's case postponed

Meanwhile, the bail hearing of accused teacher Busisiwe Gasela was on Monday postponed again until Friday.

Public prosecutor Marshall Zulu said the state needs more time to conclude its investigation.

Gasela is charged with the murder of S'khumbuzo and with assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm in the case of the other three boys.

Gasela's bail hearing has already been postponed twice, after rowdy crowds attended court and threatened her.

Zulu said the state needs further evidence and is consulting with all the witnesses through investigating officer Inspector Mandla Ngubane.

Defence attorney Logan Govender said he also wants to hear what the witnesses have to say "in the light of press reports about the case". He also asked for a copy of the post-mortem report.

Zulu said that although he sees no need for such evidence to be presented at the preliminary stage of the case, this will be relayed to the lawyer.

"We should not be concerning ourselves with the merits of the case but should be concerning ourselves with the bail application.

[But] the state will do its best to ensure that all the documents are available," said Zulu.

Magistrate Sydney Kunene accepted that there was not enough information before him to decide on bail. Gasela was not brought before the court.

- The Witness