Ekupholeni disappoints Katlehong grieving family

The Mdluli family from Ext 2, Moleleki Section, Katlehong are disheartened after the cancellation of their first trauma counselling appointment with Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Center at Katlehong South SAPS at the last hour.

It has been almost two years since the family lost their daughter Hlengiwe Zanele Mdluli, who was strangled to death by Mazwi Joseph Mdlalose in the early hours of September 25, 2021.

The family – Hlengiwe’s mother Agnes (74), grandmother Christina (76), uncle Zweli (43), two older sisters Thandi and Phumzile and her three children Philisiwe (13), Sanele (11) and Nkazimulo (3) – have never received trauma counselling since Hlengiwe’s passing, even after police promised to provide it.

After months of seeking trauma counselling, the low-spirited family thought they would finally get support in their healing process.

On March 30, the Mdluli sisters Christina and Agnes went to Katlehong South SAPS for an appointment arranged by the Katlehong Green Door ambassador, Gugu Mofukeng.

However, the family was let down at the last hour after they travelled from Moleleki Section to Ramokonopi Section, only to be told that Maureen ‘Kgosi’ Mdluli, the auxiliary social worker from Ekupholeni, was not available to see them.

Christina said it is very unfair because they did not inform them of any changes the day before or that morning.
She said they could not go as a family because they did not have a taxi fare. They had to make sacrifices to get money to travel to the police station.

“We are pensioners, it is a hustle for us to leave the house. We are no longer flexible like before. We are hurt. The worst part is that we had to get money from relatives and we do not get any value for our troubles,” said Christina.

Agnes reiterated that they are old and the Ekupholoni officials must respect them and stop playing games.
Hlengiwe’s older sister Phumzile, who was communicating with Mofukeng to arrange the session, said they made no effort to arrange another date after they cancelled the first session.

The family is also unhappy about the information that was shared by the investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Muzi Mkhize from Katlehong South SAPS, which suggested that Hlengiwe was in a relationship with Mdlalose.

Agnes said the family did not know him, even her siblings and uncle did not know him.

“If this person was the father of Hlengiwe’s child, why didn’t we know him? He has never come here to see the child. He did not even mention anything about being in a relationship with Hlengiwe during court proceedings and his girlfriend was also attending court,” said Agnes.

Maureen said her colleagues informed her that the family came to the police station, but unfortunately, she was not there.

She said the challenge with referrals is that people go to the office and demand to see her but fail to mention that they need help.

“The woman who was at the office offered to assist them but they said they want Kgosi. Although they do not necessarily need to see me, they need the victim-friendly room office. My colleague even offered to arrange for a police vehicle to take them home, but they refused.”

When asked whether she was able to set another date to attend to the family’s needs, Maureen said she intended to visit the family on April 2, but she could not go due to lack of transport.

However, that was not communicated to the family.

She said she is not responsible for intense counselling. Her role as an auxiliary social worker is to conduct assessments and refer the clients to her supervisor, Nyeleki Vuma, who will do the counselling.

“I will make a plan to go see them before the weekend of April 9 because I understand that they made an effort to come to the office,” said Maureen.