ER24 paramedics were alerted to the incident when a member of the community had heard the cries of the child.

“On inspection, the member of the public found the newborn in a shallow grave covered with several rocks.

When ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after 07h00, they found the child had been rescued from the grave and was in the care of a young woman,” ER24 paramedics said in a statement.

Medics assessed the child and found that she had sustained an injury to her upper arm and was suffering from hypothermia.

The child was treated, gradually warmed and thereafter transported to a nearby provincial hospital for urgent care.

Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.