POLOKWANE: The police in Malamulele in the Vhembe District have arrested a 30-year-old woman for allegedly killing her new-born baby in the bathroom at Malamulele on Monday 28 June 2021.

The suspect reportedly arrived at Kunjani Clinic at about 08:00, accompanied by her mother. It is alleged she went to the clinic to consult and find out why her tummy was growing big. This after she was allegedly denying she was expecting.

Whilst waiting for consultation, she allegedly indicated to her mother that she wanted to go to the bathroom at the adjacent Masingita Mall. The suspect reportedly gave birth to a baby girl on her own and started brutally assaulting her. The baby’s cries alerted the cleaners who immediately rushed to the bathroom and discovered the gruesome incident.

The police were notified and rushed to the scene. Both the suspect and her badly injured baby were taken to the local hospital but the latter was transferred to Mankweng hospital where she lost her life.

The woman was later discharged from the hospital and was immediately arrested on a charge of attempted murder. The charge has since been changed to murder after the police learnt about the passing of the baby in hospital.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has strongly condemned this gruesome incident and said nothing can justify what the suspect is alleged to have done.

The suspect will appear in Malamulele Magistrates’ Court tomorrow on Wednesday 30 June 2021.

The motive for this gruesome incident is unknown at this stage and police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service