…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
A 23-year-old mother of three has been arrested for attempted murder after she allegedly dumped her newborn baby in a pit toilet.
The incident happened in Matangaleni Trust near Mkhuhlu in Mpumalanga on 11 April 2023.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, stated that it is alleged that the pregnant woman from Bushbuckridge visited her male companion for the first time.
According to the information, the male friend, who was eager to meet her, made all necessary arrangements, and they both met.
Newborn Baby Dumped in Pit Toilet
On that fateful night, a few minutes before midnight, the woman responded to the call of nature, and that was when the baby boy was born.
Thereafter, she allegedly tried to conceal the baby’s birth by dumping the baby in the pit toilet.
Mohlala said when the male companion realized the ordeal, police and medical practitioners were summoned to the scene, and the baby was safely rescued and brought out of the pit toilet alive.
Woman Arrested for Attempted Murder
Mohlala said 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 encouraged members of the public to make use of psychosocial services from professionals whenever they undergo stressful life experiences, whereby similar incidents could be prevented.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court soon.
This is a tragic incident that highlights the need for better support for mothers and families in crisis.
It is important to provide resources and counseling services to those in need to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
It is also important to hold individuals accountable for their actions and ensure justice is served for the innocent life that was endangered.