Limpopo mom arrested after giving birth and killing newborn in mall bathroom

The Limpopo Department of Health says they are “saddened and outraged” over the killing of a newborn baby in a bathroom in a mall in Malamulele on Monday, June 28.

According to a statement by departmental spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, a woman allegedly gave birth to a baby girl inside a public toilet in the mall, before gruesomely killing her.

“It is alleged the woman, who hid her pregnancy from her family, delivered the baby in the toilet and thereafter killed the newborn by holding her by her legs and banging her head against the wall. She allegedly also tore the jaws of the newborn open with her bare hands,” he explained.

Shikwambana said a general worker at the mall called for help upon witnessing part of the incident.

“Emergency Medical Services personnel tried to take the newborn to hospital, but unfortunately the baby died before she could reach the hospital,” he added.

Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba said the department will deploy mental healthcare practitioners to work with the SAPS.

“This is truly heart wrenching. The gruesome manner in which the newborn was allegedly killed is outrageous. As a department, we cannot rule out mental health issues. For a woman to hide her pregnancy until she delivers on a full term and thereafter kill the child cannot be normal behaviour,” added Ramathuba.

She called on men to support their pregnant partners throughout the pregnancy period, as she believes this can go a long way in reducing the aggravation of some mental conditions.

“The public is once again reminded of the options available should a woman fall pregnant but not want to keep the child. They can at the early stages of the pregnancy terminate the pregnancy or give away their children for adoption to those who want them instead of throwing them away or killing them,” Ramathuba explained.

Shikwambana told Review that the 30-year-old woman was arrested.