A 43-year-old woman is expected to appear before Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Wednesday, 10 September, for concealment of birth.
The mother of seven was arrested on Sunday, 7 September, at Lesodimotlana village in the Tinmyne policing area, Waterberg District.
WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED CONCEALMENT OF BIRTH
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo said the suspect, a mother of seven, including a 17-month-old baby, was pregnant, and one of the community members discovered that the suspect’s pregnancy was no longer visible and notified the police.
“Upon questioning the alleged suspect, it was revealed that she had been pregnant for about five months before giving birth (stillborn) on 22 August, and she wrapped the foetus with a towel and buried it behind the house. The foetus was found in a shallow grave behind the house. Police investigations are ongoing,” Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
NEWBORN BABY BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION
At the weekend, Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the brutal murder of a newborn baby and the subsequent burning of his/her body.
The minor’s lifeless body was found burnt beyond recognition at Mashobohleng village, Moletji on Friday, 5 September.
Hadebe also condemned the increase in incidents of concealment of birth or where newborn babies were abandoned or killed.
“The recent incidents of abandoning newborn babies alive or deceased is becoming a serious problem in the province.
“If you give birth to a child and you realise that you don’t need to keep him /her, it’s advisable to approach the Department of Social Development for advice on adoption as the option rather than killing innocent blood,” Hadebe said.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RECENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING NEWBORN BABIES AND MINORS IN LIMPOPO?
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