A Newcastle woman charged with the attempted murder of her children was released from custody on a warning last week, reports Northern Natal News.

The 32-year-old woman, who recently returned from Fort Napier Hospital – where she underwent a psychiatric evaluation – applied for bail in the Newcastle District Court on May 27.

Her legal representative, Zubair Chothia, indicated that the woman suffered temporary psychosis and has no recollection of attacking her children.

She was arrested on September 11, 2025, after she allegedly disembowelled her three-year-old daughter, and spent more than eight months in custody until her release last Wednesday (May 27).

Witnesses said the little girl and her two siblings, aged around 10 and 2, were fortunate to survive their mother’s attack due to the heroic response of a construction worker who was busy in the yard at the time.

Construction worker intervenes

The construction worker, who asked not to be named, said he saw the 10-year-old running out of the house and then heard screaming from within. He tried to open the door, but it was locked.

When he looked through the window, he saw the three-year-old bleeding on the sofa.

“It was terrifying. Her insides were out,” he said. “It looked like she (the mother) laid her child on the sofa and stabbed her from above.”

The construction worker broke the window with a hammer to gain access into the house when he saw the mother turn the knife on her two-year-old. “I had to take the knife away from her before she hurt her children any more. I am still in shock,” he added.

It is alleged that the woman was overheard telling police officials, “The Devil made me do it.”

The three-year-old received treatment at Madadeni Hospital for critical injuries she sustained during the ordeal.

Court imposes conditions

Last week, the investigating officer submitted an affidavit to the court, indicating that he was not opposed to the woman’s release on bail.

However, state prosecutor Jabulile Zondi initially requested a report from the probation officer, expressing concern that the victims of the attempted murder are the woman’s own children.

Zondi said she was worried about the trauma the children might experience should their mother return home to them.

Chothia assured the court that the woman would relocate to Pretoria until the matter is finalised.

The woman was eventually released on condition that she relocates to Pretoria and refrains from making contact with her children.

The case was postponed to July 8 for further investigation.

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