A 21-year-old man from Middelplaas near Schoemansdal in Mpumalanga, allegedly killed his three-week-old baby after forcefully taking him from his 15-year-old mother on Wednesday. He is now not only facing charges relating to the murder of his child, but also statutory rape because of the age of the child’s mother.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says according to their information the suspect was in the company of four of his friends when he suddenly snatched the baby from his mother and left.

“The worried mother and her family did not report this to the police immediately. They hoped the baby was safe in his father’s custody and started to conduct their own search,” says Mohlala.

The family reported the matter to the Schoemansdal police after there was still no sign of the baby the next morning.

Mohlala says police started searching immediately and received information that a child’s body was found dumped a few metres from a water reservoir and a diesel depot in Middelplaas.

He says the baby was found with his throat cut open, wrapped in a bloody blanket and towel.

Police found out that the suspect arrived at his uncle’s home in KaMaghekeza, with a bag of clothes.

“The Schoemansdal police did not waste time. The suspect was found in his uncle’s house on Thursday March 2 and was arrested. He will be charged with kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. Considering the age of the child’s mother, statutory rape charge will also be added. He is expected to appear in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court in Tonga soon,” Mohlala says.