‘Ma’ Khumalo set to join Maritzburg College Old Boy cricketer son Mondli at his hospital bed in England
The passports of seriously assaulted former Maritzburg College and SA Schools cricketer Mondli Khumalo’s mom and uncle have been fast-tracked and approved and the pair are expected to fly out early next week to be at his hospital bedside in England, provided their UK visas are approved in time by the British consulate in Pretoria.
SA U19 World Cup cricketer Mondli (now age 20) was viciously assaulted on Sunday morning by a gang of thugs outside the Dragon Rise Pub in Bridgwater, Somerset and is still in a critical condition in the intensive care unit in Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.
Jonathan Cook feature photo: Mondli Khumalo and Jayden Gengan were a potent fast bowling threat for the Red Black and White on Maritzburg College’s Goldstones ground.
The Avon and Somerset Police have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm to Mondli.
‘Mondli has fitted in perfectly at our club, he’s a wonderful character
and extremely humble and we all love him to bits’
Mondli is the contracted overseas pro at North Petherton Cricket Club and has impressed with his fast bowling in particular, as well as with the fresh energy he brings to the first team and the club as a whole.
Superintendent Richard Turner of the Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement to Bridgwater Mercury: “Mr Mondli Khumalo remains in a serious but stable condition after undergoing emergency treatment.
Mondli was joined by his proud mom in Maritzburg College’s Victoria Hall after scooping up a number of first XI cricket awards at the annual dinner during his time at the school. Photo by KZN Inland Cricket.
“A full investigation is still under way, and we’ve carried out house-to-house enquiries and are continuing to review CCTV footage from around the area, to ensure we gather all available evidence.”
UK club teammate: ‘You genuinely couldn’t meet a nicer guy than Mondli and we’re all hurting badly’
CEO of the KZN Cricket Union and the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, Heinrich Strydom, has praised the SA community for their support, and the powers that be in rallying to the cause and getting the passports sorted out efficiently. Ma Khumalo and Mondli’s uncle are expected to have their passports delivered by Friday.
Heinrich said that hopefully the Khumalo pair’s UK visas will be fast-tracked over the next couple of days.
“As you can imagine, it has been an extremely difficult time for Mondli’s mum and she is understandably very distressed, we all just want Mondli to recover,” Strydom told Bridgwater Mercury.
“Mondli’s mother and his uncle will travel together; most likely they will fly out of Durban,” he said.
Mondli lets one fly for the Maritzburg College first XI at Hilton College. Photo Martin Ashworth.
Lloyd Irish, one of Mondli’s friends and teammates at North Petherton, told Bridgwater Mercury that as a club the boys are supporting Mondli and his family in Durban as best they can. Lloyd also praised Mondli’s agent, Rob Humphries.
“Rob Humphries who has been fantastic.”
Lloyd said that all at North Petherton Cricket Club had found a new friend in Mondli: “He has fitted in perfectly at our club, he’s a wonderful character, extremely humble and we all love him to bits.”
Lloyd said further that as a club the North Petherton family is in “complete shock and devastation”.
“You genuinely couldn’t meet a nicer guy than Mondli and we’re all hurting badly.
“Mondli is an amazing, exceptionally talented cricketer, he’s made a great start [with his 10 wickets for us] although all of this seems unimportant at the moment; we are all praying he can come through this and hopefully get back to playing cricket.”
Mondli collect his first XI cap after another fiery over at Hilton College’s marquee Hart-Davis Oval. Photo Martin Ashworth.
Mondli is contracted by KwaZulu-Natal Inland during the South African season and has been capped four times at first-class level.
The CEO of KZN Inland, Jason Sathiaseelan, has told Club Cricket SA that Mondli is in an induced coma.
“The surgeon has reported that the operation was as successful as it could be and is positive that Mondli can recover from this.
“We have been in contact with Mondli’s mom and we are doing our level best to obtain a passport for her, so that she can be with Mondli during this trying time,” Jason said earlier.
The cricket club said on social media: “All at North Petherton Cricket Club are in shock at the incident in Bridgwater that has led to our much-loved overseas player Mondli Khumalo being hospitalised in Southmead Hospital in Bristol this [Sunday] morning.
“We extend our heartfelt support to Mondli for a full and speedy recovery. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues in South Africa.
Mondli and his proud gran and mom with a cricket official at Maritzburg College. Photo KZN Inland Cricket.
“Our thanks also go to all those who have helped Mondli, especially the health service staff on scene and at hospital.”
Jono: I know the entire Maritzburg College community and further afield are praying for Mondli as he fights to get back to full vibrant health again.
We are all with you, Monds… For hearth and home
Pro aris et focis
Mondli back in his heyday at Goldstones’ Kent Pavilion, smiles shyly for the DesDesigns camera.