Mitchells Plain neonaticide: Department investigates murder of newborn | Western Cape Government

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Mitchells Plain neonaticide: Department investigates murder of newborn

18 September 2017

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) will assist the police in their investigation of a neonaticide (baby murdered within 28 days of life) in Mitchells Plain. A 32 year-old woman, the alleged mother of the baby, was arrested over the weekend on a charge of murder.

The mother allegedly choked her newborn son to death and hid him under a mattress.

As the custodians of the Children’s Act of 2005, social workers from our Mitchells Plain local office have intervened to protect the other four children the woman has.

We condemn this brutal murder and the alleged circumstances of this incident in the strongest terms possible. That the alleged murderer is allegedly the mother of the baby is most outrageous.

Study findings released in 2016 by the Medical Research Council (MRC) through their own analysis of data, found that South Africa essentially has a neonaticide rate of 19 per 100 000 live births.

The mother is set to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates Court tomorrow.

We continue to appeal to expectant mothers and fathers, and parents of newborn children, to approach our social workers for assistance and family planning interventions. This service is available to anyone who may be experiencing emotional or physical difficulty in raising their child.

Ensuring the safety and care of children requires a whole-of-society approach. Child protection is everybody’s responsibility. If you see something, say something. Residents must report any abandoned, abused, neglected or missing children to the police or to the DSD Hotline on 0800 220 250.

Media Enquiries: 

Sihle Ngobese

Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development

Western Cape Government

7th floor, 14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8000

Tel : (021) 483 9217

Cell :  076 083 6543

Email : Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za