Verulam grief: 12-year-old boy’s death prompts DSD neglect probe

What happened in Verulam

The child, named in reports as Shivan Cumberlege, was allegedly found hanging from a roof rafter in his home using his mother’s sari. The incident took place in Riet River on Thursday afternoon, according to reporting by IOL.

Official response and probe

DSD spokesperson Thuba Vilane told IOL that a risk assessment would be conducted at the home where the boy’s siblings remain in the care of their parents amid allegations of neglect. Vilane said social workers visited the home on Thursday following the incident and that an investigation is underway.

Community accounts

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) relayed information gathered from residents that the child had allegedly been left to care for a baby after his mother did not return home for two days while attending prayers. RUSA director Prem Balram told IOL neighbours informed reaction officers that the child was forced to sell bottles and buy polony for his younger sibling.

RUSA said the boy was last seen alive earlier the same morning when his father left for work, and that he had spoken to his father by phone shortly before being discovered.

Community reaction

Local content creator Lyndelle Moodley, who runs Faces of Verulam, described the community as “reeling from shock” and said emotions included “anger, confusion, disbelief, and heartbreak.” Moodley told IOL she attended the funeral at River Range Ranch in Verulam and described the mourners’ distress, particularly the reaction of the boy’s siblings.

Police comment

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Amanda Funani told IOL she would comment once she had obtained more information on the matter.

Short explainer: what a child neglect probe involves

When a suspected case of child neglect is reported, social workers typically visit the home to assess the child’s living conditions and safety. A risk assessment looks at immediate dangers to children in the household and whether intervention is needed to protect them. If an investigation finds evidence of neglect, authorities may take steps ranging from offering support services to seeking alternative care arrangements for affected children. The DSD statement to IOL notes only that a risk assessment would be conducted and that social workers had visited the home; it does not provide further details on outcomes or next steps.

What we know from reporting

• The child was a Grade 3 pupil at Parkgate Primary School.
• He was allegedly found hanging from a roof rafter using his mother’s sari.
• Social workers visited the home and an investigation by DSD and Verulam Child Welfare is under way, with a risk assessment to be conducted, according to DSD spokesperson Thuba Vilane speaking to IOL.
• Community members and RUSA provided accounts that the boy had been left to care for a baby and had been seen selling bottles and buying food for a younger sibling, according to RUSA director Prem Balram as reported by IOL.

All facts in this article are drawn from reporting published by IOL.