Lim Police concerned following another baby rescued from a pit toilet outside Lebowakgomo
A 24-year-old woman has been arrested for the offence
POLOKWANE – Police spokesperson Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe says SAPS have noted with great concern, the increase in cases of new born babies being thrown into pit toilets by their mothers.
This, he says, despite campaigns conducted in an effort to raise awareness on structures within the Saps and its sister departments
This follows the arrest of a 24-year-old woman in Magatle, outside Lebowakgomo who gave birth to a baby boy and threw the baby into a pit toilet in Ga-Rafiri village.
“Police were notified, reacted swiftly and rescued the infant who is currently recuperating in hospital,” Ngoepe said.
Department of Health’s spokesperson, Thabiso Teffo says emergency services stabilized the baby and he was taken to the Zebediela Hospital.
Photo: Limpopo Department of Health.
The suspect is due to appear before the Magatle Periodical Court soon on a charge of attempted murder.
This is the second case in less than a month in which a baby was rescued from a pit toilet.
A 32-year-old mentally ill woman was arrested in Ga-Mahwai village in the Matlala Policing area outside Polokwane on 14 November after giving birth to a baby boy and throwing the child into a pit toilet.
Read more: GOOD NEWS STORY FOR THE DAY: Limpopo EMS save baby from pit toilet
It has since emerged that the infant died in hospital while receiving medical attention.
“The suspect in this matter has appeared before the Matlala Periodical Court for murder, she was released on warning and the case was postponed to 18 December 2017 for further police investigations to take place,” Ngoepe explained.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt.General Nneke Ledwaba, has condemned these acts, especially in the duration of 16 days of activism on violence against women and children.
Furthermore, Ledwaba has sent a stern warning to those taking part in these ‘heinous acts’, that they will be dealt with harshly without compromise.
“Mothers are supposed to be the nurturers and protectors of children. It is now becoming a regular tendency and members of the community are advised to consult the helping professionals for family problems, with some departments, such as the Department of Social Development offering these services for free,” concluded Ledwaba.
