Tiamo’s 20-year-old mother, Mbali Mathebula, said her brother went to pick up Tiamo from the crèche on the day and realised on the way home that something was wrong with Tiamo.
“Tiamo had bruises on his forehead and it was swollen. Her collarbone was not in its original position either.
“We tried to find out from the crèche’s principal what happened, but she told us she was not at the crèche that day. But she promised to get answers and get back to us the following morning. When she gets back to us, she said Tiamo fell while she was crawling,” explained Mathebula.
Mathebula also said after seeing that they did not believe their story, the principal told them another version – Tiamo had fallen from the baby support chair.
“This is also not true because there is no way a child can fall from such a short distance and end up breaking her collarbone, there is no way,” said Mathebula.
The devastated mother said she has nothing against the crèche, she only wanted answers so she can explain what happened when she went to the hospital for medical treatment for Tiamo.
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Thuli Mahlobo, the grandmother of the child, said on Wednesday she accompanied Mathebula to Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston, where Tiamo was examined and an X-ray was taken.
“The X-ray indicated Tiamo had a collarbone fracture. The following day we took her to a private practitioner, Dr Kim Nolam, in Brackenhurst, who confirmed the collarbone has shifted,” Mahlobo said.
The medical report reads:
“This letter serves to confirm that I have seen the above patient (Tiamo Mathebula).
“Tiamo Mathebula is a seven-month-old girl who apparently fell at school or crèche. My examination reveals the swelling of the right sternoclavicular area. Child is uncomfortable, but no crying on movement of the arm or shoulder. Her left eye is red and puffy.
“All other symptoms are normal and X-rays show no fracture.”
Kathorus MAIL contacted the principal of the crèche to hear her side of the story. This is what the principal, Lettie (she did not want to provide her surname), had to say.
“There is no way I can comment now since the matter is still being investigated by social workers. I will only comment in this regard once the social workers are done with their own investigation.
“I will definitely comment when the time is right. But I want to assure you that I have nothing to hide,” she said.
