Newborn baby found dead – police to investigate
The lifeless body of a newborn baby wrapped in blankets was discovered by the laundry personnel at the Mankweng Hospital last week.
Moyahabo Mabeba
LIMPOPO – The lifeless body of a newborn baby wrapped in blankets was discovered by the laundry personnel at the Mankweng Hospital last week.
Although the personnel at the health facility were shocked and saddened by the incident, the incidences of abandoned stillborn and newborn babies have become frequent over the past few years, with the tiny bodies often being discovered in dustbins and dumping sites.
Spokesperson for the Department of Health, Billy Teffo, confirmed the incident.
“After our laundry personnel discovered the body of a lifeless newborn baby, we immediately alerted the Polokwane police.
“The matter is now the subject of a police investigation. Meanwhile our forensic experts are also looking at the matter”.
At the time of printing, the hospital management were still looking for clues about who the mother of the baby is. Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, said the police had opened an inquest docket.
“However, at this point, no one has been arrested. We are working with the department to locate the baby’s mother.”
