SAVE OUR BABIES

The Daily Voice shines the light on horrifying baby-dumping 'trend'

- BY MARSHA DEAN

A TRAGIC and horrifying trend has hit the Cape over the last few weeks where the bodies of babies have been found dumped in various communities in the metropole.

Six disturbing cases where babies were left for dead were so far reported in just under a month.

The most recent incident took place on 8 October when another preterm foetus was found discarded in Central Park, Muizenberg.

This comes after a shocking five babies were found dumped in the month of September alone, which is about one baby every week.

These are criminal acts under the South African Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992 and authorities have yet to make a breakthrough in arrests. According to the law, foetuses over 26 weeks are required to be buried.

Minister for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said that finding the perpetrators poses extreme challenges.

Marais explained: “In the majority of cases, identifying and apprehending the mother is extremely difficult.

“Often, the babies are found in isolated areas without eyewitnesses, no CCTV footage, and no immediate leads, which makes it very difficult to trace the person.

“In most cases, mothers who abandon their babies are very discreet when doing so. Members of the public are often best placed to notice signs of a concealed pregnancy, distress in someone close to them, or suspicious behaviour following the birth of a child.

“I urge communities to be vigilant and to come forward with information that may assist the police with their investigations.”

Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu said there is absolutely no justification for dumping a newborn child.

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