A 25-year-old woman was arrested on September 28 by the Tembisa South SAPS.
It is believed that the woman allegedly killed her newborn baby boy in Moedi Section.
Captain Neldah Sekgobela said it is alleged that the mother of the suspect, who stays in Lone Hill, Sandton, was alerted by one of the community members that her daughter, who is renting a room in Tembisa, was admitted to hospital. The reason for admission was unknown.
“The mother managed to visit her daughter at the hospital on Saturday and on arrival, she was surprised to see her daughter carrying a newborn baby boy. She didn’t know that her daughter was expecting a child,” said Capt Sekgobela.
Capt Sekgobela said on Sunday, September 25, the mother visited her daughter again as she had bought clothes for her grandson.
“She even told her that she must not go to Tembisa but should come to her place after being discharged from the hospital on Monday.”
Capt Sekgobela said on Monday, at about 1pm, the mother received a call from her daughter who informed her that the baby passed away on Sunday night.
She said the body had already been cremated by the hospital.
“On Tuesday morning the mother visited the hospital again to confirm what she was told by her daughter, only to find that she was lying. The police were called and she was interrogated. She told the police that she gave the child to a man who deals with abortions. She even pointed out a board for the advert about abortions. The man was phoned and later arrested,” said Capt Sekgobela.
Capt Sekgobela said the members of the Family Violence and Child Protection Service continued with their investigations yesterday, after the suspect who was arrested stated that he knew nothing regarding the incident.
“The woman later revealed that she killed the child and the body was hidden in her rented room under the bed. The child was found wrapped with plastics, which the police believed were used to suffocate him,” said Capt Sekgobela.
