Baby abuse trial continues; doctor testifies about injuries

The case against the parents who allegedly repeatedly assaulted their five-month-old baby was currently underway in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

An orthopaedic surgeon who treated the baby testified on behalf of the state on Thursday.

Dr Helene Basson treated the baby girl on July 14, 2020, after the child was taken to Eugene Marais hospital for medical care.

Basson testified that several of the child’s bones were broken, including her collarbone, femur and several ribs – her ribs had about 27 fractures in total.

According to Basson, the fractures were similar to repeated episodes of physical actions, such as a baby being held and shaken with both hands around the body.

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The parents of the baby were arrested in August last year, after AfriForum’s private prosecution unit (PPU) assisted doctors and a social worker in July 2020, to lodge criminal complaints.

Doctors and a private social worker initially lodged a case with SAPS and the department of social development and recommended that the baby be removed from her parents’ care.

However, the case against the parents was scrapped from the roll, because, according to the magistrate, there was a lack of evidence.

The baby was temporarily placed in her grandmother’s care, after which she was returned to her parents.

After the child was hospitalised for a second time for similar injuries, AfriForum’s PPU once again lodged complaints against the parents.

The parents have pleaded not guilty.

Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s manager of campaigns said it was incomprehensible that the case was removed from the roll in the first place after an expert had lodged the complaints.

“Basson recognised the signs of child abuse. On top of that, the abused child was then once again placed back in the care of the people who had hurt her.

“This is absolutely illogical and just shows once again that politicians’ repeated statements about violence against children and women are mere lip service,” said Broodryk.

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