Newborn abandoned in bin

A woman who makes a living by recycling waste nearly fainted when, instead of finding something she could sell, she discovered the body of a baby in a municipal rubbish bin.

Melidah Malobola of Mamelodi East was deeply shocked when she discovered the tiny body in a big municipal bin that had been placed there for the community to dispose of rubbish in an attempt to avoid the creation of illegal dumping sites within the community.

The 43-year-old said she was looking for plastic bags to recycle when she made the shocking discovery on Sunday afternoon.

The baby had been left in a bin at the illegal dumping site next to the Koos Matli Primary School.

Mabola saw a big, black plastic bag inside the bin and thought this was her lucky day, as she expected to find many plastic bags to recycle.

She said she was trying look what was inside the plastic bag when she saw a small hand sticking out. She said she was so shocked, she nearly fainted on the spot.

Heartbroken, she said she would struggle to sleep at night after what she had seen.

Earlier this year, two unwanted babies were found dead and abandoned at the same illegal dumping site.

Community members found it very disturbing that anyone could throw away such a gift from God. They said that the mother should have handed the child in for adoption rather than abandon it and leave it to die.

“This is wrong and painful, this baby could have been a leader, but instead the mother decided to kill it.

Ward 16 Councillor, Johanna Matentjie, commenting earlier on the large number of dead babies, strongly advocated safe sex.

“There are many women out there who want children but cannot fall pregnant. These women who do not want their children can give them to those who do, or they can hand their babies in for adoption at places of safety,” said Matentjie.

Anastasia Mosetlha, a social worker in Mamelodi, said they were concerned about the growing number of dead babies discovered and that women should come in for help from the Mamelodi social workers. She also stressed that some of these women were forced to get rid of their newborns because they were under pressure and stressed because the father of the baby did not want to get involved.

Mamelodi police spokesperson, Captain Johannes Maheso, confirmed that they had opened an inquest docket. He called on the public to come forward with any information that could help with the investigation.