A 47-year-old lady from Vosman, eMalahleni was awoken by the noise of an infant who was crying non-stop.

On the evening of Monday, June 1, this crying sound of a baby in distress continued for a while prompting her to wake her husband and both went to investigate.

They discovered an infant wrapped in a towel outside the door and immediately tried to look around to see if they can spot the person who left the baby, with no success. The couple further enquired from the neighbours but unfortunately got no positive feedback.

The matter was eventually reported to Vosman Police Station on Tuesday, June 2 and a case of child neglect was opened.

The police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect who has abandoned the child.

WITBANK NEWS started reporting on the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW) Baby Safe Box initiative in 2019 as the first baby safe box was launched in Mandela Street and quickly followed by two other baby boxes at the ‘hotspots’ in eMalahleni.

Maureen Scheepers, founder of the SACCW Baby Safe Box pleaded with mothers to familiarise themselves with the resource that is available in the area.

The Baby Safe Box now gives a safer alternative to mothers of the area who would have otherwise abandoned their babies in dangerous places leading to their death.

“There is no excuse to abandon your baby anymore, please make use of the boxes and give your baby the chance to survive and have a full life. Anyone that requires more information regarding the Baby Save Box can contact me directly on 082 565 6770,” said Scheepers.

Anyone who has information concerning the incident can contact Vosman Detective Constable Londiwe Patricia Mathibela on 082 494 2174.

The locations of the boxes are:

CBD SITE: 15 Hertzog Street

NEW LIFE SITE:  Mandela Street

REYNO RIDGE SITE:  11 Vulture Street