Cape Town's heartbreaking baby abandonment trend

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 October 8 when another pre-term foetus was found discarded in Central Park, Muizenberg.

This comes after a shocking five babies were found dumped in the month of September, with nearly 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.

“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," she said.

“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."

Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu said there was no justification for dumping a newborn child: “Babies can be lawfully and safely surrendered to designated places of safety, hospitals, police stations, or registered child protection organisations where they will receive the care and protection they deserve."

Lucinda Evans, Founder and Director of Philisa Abafazi Bethu Women and Children’s Programme and Director of Phillisa Abafazi Baby Saver and Phillisa Abafazi Emergency Children Safe House, offered hope to women who suffered trauma such as rape.

Evans told the Cape Argus' sister newspaper, the Daily Voice: “In our work, we understand that women are raped and gang-raped and they have these pregnancies.  

“Baby savers are devices that save the lives of a woman and her child. Baby savers can be used when a woman doesn’t have an option and she will be able to go into a shelter and find her baby and be reunited with her baby again.”

The Department of Social Development (DSD) in the Western Cape urged struggling mothers to come contact them for help and support.

According to the DSD they have received 28 reports of child abandonment in the first quarter (April-June) of this year. 

DSD spokesperson Monique Mortlock said that for the department or a Designated Child Protection Organisation to help, the child must be found alive. 

MEC for DSD Jaco Londt added: “Support services are available at public health facilities, as well as local DSD offices, and NPOs in the child protection sector for those who need support following the birth of a baby."

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Cape Argus