…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
A 23-year-old mother of three has been arrested for allegedly attempting to murder her newborn baby by dumping the baby in a pit toilet.
The incident took place on Tuesday, 11th April 2023, in Matangaleni Trust near Mkhuhlu in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Allegedly, the pregnant woman from Bushbuckridge visited her male companion for the first time, and just a few minutes before midnight, she gave birth to a baby boy.
Thereafter, she allegedly tried to conceal the baby’s birth by dumping him in the pit toilet.
When the male companion realized what had happened, he summoned police and medical practitioners to the scene, who rescued the baby from the pit toilet alive.
The woman was arrested, and the baby boy was taken to the hospital for further medical attention.
The mother was charged with attempted murder and is currently under police guard.
Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela strongly condemned the incident and urged the public to use psychosocial services from professionals to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It is distressing to hear such news, and it is crucial that pregnant women receive adequate support and care during and after pregnancy.
The mother of three’s situation is a reminder that some women face difficult circumstances that may lead them to take extreme actions.
It is essential to provide support and care to these women so that they can make informed choices and receive the assistance they need to ensure the safety and well-being of their babies.