A 34-year-old mother appeared in the Waterval Magistrate's Court on a charge of concealment of birth after she had allegedly thrown her newborn baby boy into a pit toilet at Vhutuwangadzebu village, not far from Elim. The woman, Ms Hlanganani Maluleke, who had been nine months pregnant, claimed that she had had a miscarriage.
The incident, which happened on Tuesday, 28 November, came to light when a concerned community member contacted the police. Upon arrival, they were confronted by the grim reality as they were guided to the pit toilet where the infant's body was discovered. In a race against time, they reached out to the local municipality to assist them with a TLB machine (tractor) to excavate the toilet and retrieve the tiny victim.
After digging up the toilet, the lifeless body of the baby was removed and taken to the local government mortuary for an autopsy and further police investigations. Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident. "The suspect appeared before the Waterval Magistrate's Court on Friday, 1 December, and was granted free bail. She will reappear before the same court on 23 January 2024. Police investigations continue," he said.
Mr Charles Musekwa, the chairperson of the Mpheni Traditional Council, strongly condemned the incident. "We are still shocked over the incident because if indeed the mother had a miscarriage, it was supposed to be done in the right way. As the traditional council, we stand firmly against what the mother [allegedly] did," he said.
Mr Joshua Kwapa, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Social Development, urged mothers who cannot care for their children to reach out to social workers. "These professionals can provide the necessary advice and options, including adoption, with the help of government facilities. It's crucial that a child's welfare comes first. If you're struggling, contact these experts who can guide you towards solutions best suited for your child's needs and safety," he said.