Aborted baby in bucket to ‘be disposed next day’

LYDENBURG – A case of concealment of birth was opened at Lydenburg SAPS.

This followed after police officers received information last Wednesday (October 9) about a woman who had given birth to a baby and then disposed of the body by hiding it in a bucket filled with water.

According to Capt Alfred Moela, Lydenburg SAPS spokesman, officers were immediately dispatched to the address supplied. The accused woman was apparently visiting her sister in Skhila extension next to the R36/Burgersfort road.

“Police found both women, Ingrid (24) and Gladys Mogashwa (31) at the dwelling and started questioning the sisters about the allegations and information supplied to the officers. While busy with the investigation, Ingrid confessed to giving birth to the baby. She told members that she went into labour and gave birth at about 01:00 that morning.”

According to Moela, Ingrid was adamant that the baby either died during birth or was stillborn.

“She said that she took the body of the baby and put it into a bucket. She also confessed that it was her intention was to throw away the body of the baby the next day.”

Moela said she proceeded to show officers the body of the baby. “It was wrapped in a duvet and indeed hidden inside a 20-litre bucket filled with water. Ingrid further told officers that her sister, Gladys, who was staying in Skhila advised her that there is a Nigerian doctor in Lydenburg who would be willing to assist her with the abortion of the child. On account of her sister’s referral, she came to Lydenburg.”

Ingrid apparently arrived in town on October 7, two days before the incident. The following day, her sister apparently took her to see the doctor. “She paid the said doctor R600 for which she received pills that she had to take to bring about the abortion.

“Merely a day after Ingrid took the prescribed pills, she went into labour. She told officers that her sister helped with with delivering the baby boy. She insisted that he was dead when delivered.”

Moela said that Ingrid was taken to Lydenburg Hospital under police guard. Gladys was released during the investigation as she could not be directly linked to the case. He confirmed that a case of concealment of birth was opened.

According to Moela an autopsy was performed on Wednesday to determine the baby’s cause of death. “Depending on the formal outcome of the autopsy report, the charge against the woman can be changed to murder.”

He said that she will appear in Lydenburg’s Magistrates Court on October 29.

Any information or queries relating to the matter, can be conveyed to the investigating officer, Lt Col Dibakoane, on 082-303-9799.