A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to help a young professional cricketer who suffered serious head injuries in an overnight attack in Bridgwater. Twenty-year-old Mondli Khumalo had been out with friends when he was attacked near the Green Dragon pub in Friarn Street in the early hours of May 29.
Mondli, who was alone at the time of the incident, was rushed to Southmead Hospital where he has since undergone two operations to relieve the pressure on his brain. He remains hospitalized in an artificial coma.
Mondli arrived in Somerset in April to play for North Petherton Cricket Club for the summer season. He visited the county as part of the World Sports XChange led by Robbie Humphries and is one of hundreds of talented young UK sports people from around the world.
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Mondli, who is under contract with KwaZulu-Natal Inland and has been capped four times at first-class level, has quickly become a popular member of the club, coaching the junior team and playing in the senior men’s team. Mondli, from Pietermaritzburg, is a fast bowler and also represented South Africa at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup.
Mr Humphries, Mondli’s agent, was called on Sunday and told Mondli had been attacked and was in hospital. Robbie has been in contact with Mondli’s family and it is hoped mum Sbonglie and uncle Sakhii will now travel to the UK to be by his side.
Mr Humphries, who watched over Mondli’s bedside, said: ‘The news has come as a terrible shock to his family and we are now trying to get them to the UK as soon as possible. It was me who had to call them and tell them what had happened.
South African cricketer Mondli Khumalo remains in hospital after being attacked in Bridgwater (Image: Getty Images)
“We cannot assess the long-term impacts of the injury until doctors wake him from a coma.” The crowdfunding appeal, organized by friends of the cricket club, has so far raised £7,900 at the time of writing.
Mr Humphries said the money raised would be used to support Mondli and his family. Mondli was due to stay in Somerset until early September before returning to South Africa to resume his professional cricket career with The Tuskers team.
Mondli stayed with the leader of Somerset County Council, Bill Revans, at his home in North Petherton. A 27-year-old man, suspected of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the attack, has been released on outright bail pending further investigation.
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Superintendent Richard Turner said in a statement released yesterday (Monday): “We are taking steps to ensure that Mondli’s family in South Africa are kept fully informed of his condition, as well as the progress of our investigation. A full investigation is underway and we have carried out door-to-door inquiries and continue to review CCTV footage from the area, to ensure we gather all available evidence.
“We know there were a large number of people in the area at the time and we are asking for any eyewitnesses to come forward, especially if anyone has cellphone footage showing any part of this incident. ” If you have any information about the assault, call the police on 101 and give the reference number 5222126854.
Anyone wishing to donate to the crowdfunder can do so here.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-31 12:21:48
