Mogoditshane assault boy passes on
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Thursday March 9, 2017 15:44
Jerry passed away yesterday morning. His death was confirmed to Mmegi by a family member.
Jerry fell into a coma that lasted from June last year until December after he allegedly suffered a vicious assault at the hands of Molla in Mogoditshane.
Molla allegedly flew into a rage when he heard his child, who was playing with Jerry, crying. The case hogged the headlines as the boy fought for his life in local and South African hospitals, spending most of the time on life support.
After being discharged in December, Jerry was returned to the care of his parents on assisted breathing.
Yesterday, there were conflicting reports about whether Molla had finally succeeded in securing the bail he has been seeking since the case began. The Bangladeshi businessman has been in custody since he was arrested in July 2016 as the Court waited for the boy’s condition to improve.
Reports suggest he was released on bail early last month, after numerous attempts had been rebuffed.
In a previous appearance, Princess Marina Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, Dr Kagelelo Difela told Broadhurst Magistrate Faith Ngandu that Jerry was “generally stable” under the care of his parents, but was still unable to communicate verbally. He said that unless another tracheotomy was performed and a specialised tube with a hole that would allow air to pass is inserted, the young boy would be unable to speak.
“My opinion is that he is generally stable because he is not in ICU, but he is breathing through a tube. It might be for some time or permanent because of the narrowing below the voice box and the lungs.
“He can go to school (in future), but he will need specialised attention. He won’t verbalise unless we put in a special tube that will allow him to do so,” Difela said.
Molla is scheduled to appear in court where the prosecution is expected to amend the charge sheet to murder.