Fourth baby found abandoned in Cape Town within a week
A fourth baby has been found abandoned in a week in Cape Town, making it a total of five in the past month, with the latest newborn found at an informal settlement in Lwandle in a canal.
Police spokesperson, Captain Frederick Van Wyk said police were called to the scene at Pholile Informal settlement in Lwandle on Tuesday just after 9.30am where the body of the infant was discovered.
It is believed the newborn was found amongst debris and dirt in a canal in the informal settlement.
“The office can confirm that an inquest was opened on September 30, following the discovery of the body of a newborn baby at Pholile Informal settlement, Lwandle.
“A community member alerted the police of the incident just after 10am in the morning and they immediately went to attend the scene and the members found a naked body laying on its back.
“They then cordon off the area. Medical personnel were then called to the scene and declared the body deceased.”
Van Wyk said police are currently investigating an inquest docket.
Earlier this week, the Cape Argus reported that four babies were dumped in just a month, with three in the past week.
On Monday, Parkwood residents found the body of a newborn male on an open field along Walmer road and the M5 on Monday with the umbilical cord still attached.
No arrests have been made.
In August, Kraaifontein residents were horrified after finding a dead baby in a bin in Zono Street and a concealment of birth case was registered for investigation.
This follows a sixth case in June where a newborn baby girl’s body was found with the umbilical cord still attached in Manenberg.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) told Cape Argus there are various support services in place to support mothers, such as counselling at local DSD offices.
Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu, an organisation which advocates for the rights of women and children said they were disturbed by the tragic spate of infant bodies discovered across the Western Cape.
“The repetition of such tragedies speaks to the erosion of family and community structures, the inadequacy of public education on safe options for unwanted pregnancies, and the lack of urgent, coordinated interventions by the government to address these vulnerabilities,” he said.
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Cape Argus