A 35-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with murder after being caught setting a newborn baby alight at a dumping site in Tshepiso, Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela reports the incident happened at around 21:30 on Monday.

“A witness summoned the police to the scene after he saw the woman pushing a wheelbarrow to the dumping site and subsequently dumping and burning a baby. The man then informed the caretaker of the dumping site, who removed the body of the baby from the fire.”

Maxambela states residents in the area were alerted about the incident and that the witness gave a description of the woman’s appearance to the community.

“The community and the man walked to the woman’s place of residence and brought her back to the scene [of the crime]. She was subsequently handed over to police.”

Maxambela adds that the woman’s clothes had blood, believed to be that of the baby, on them upon her arrest.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Maxambela said police could not confirm whether the baby was still alive or not when the incident happened.

“A post mortem will determine the cause of death. Police have opened a murder case docket,” Maxambela adds.

The woman is due to make an appearance before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court soon.