A 20-year-old deaf matric pupil from Tzaneen has been left devastated after her hearing aids were damaged during Spring Day celebrations.
Mpho Mhlanga was on her way home from school when a group of peers from her neighbourhood splashed her with water, damaging both hearing devices.
Her father, Alfred Mhlanga, told Sowetan that the devices started making strange noises after she arrived home. The family tried drying and recharging them, but they did not work.
Matric exams now under threat
Mpho missed school on Wednesday and Thursday while her classmates continued with revision and preliminary examinations.
Her father said she cannot hear without the devices and fears she may not be able to write her exams after working throughout the year.
Mhlanga said he is unemployed and cannot afford the R8,000 cost of replacing the hearing aids privately.
He added that obtaining new devices through a public hospital could involve a wait of at least six months.
Mpho was diagnosed with deafness while in Grade 4 and repeated that grade twice.
Family weighs legal options
Mhlanga said the children involved are neighbours who know about his daughter’s condition.
Their parents apologised and said the incident had been intended as play, but the family remains uncertain about whether to open a criminal case.
Pretoria attorney Andiswa Tube told Sowetan that the family has the right to report the damage to the police.
She also said they could consider a civil claim against the parents of the children responsible.
Spring Day incidents raise concern
Tube advised the family to approach the health and education departments for immediate assistance with replacing the hearing aids.
The incident comes amid wider concern over Spring Day water-throwing celebrations.
Sowetan reported several incidents involving alleged theft, bullying, intimidation and assault, while videos showed motorists and delivery riders trying to avoid groups throwing water.
Private security company Tshenolo Private Investigations said three criminal cases had already been registered over incidents brought to its attention, with additional cases expected to follow.