Another baby body found dumped on Cape Flats, just hours apart
The body of a baby was found in Vrygrond this morning
Image: Facebook
Just a few hours after the body of a one-day-old baby was found in a drain at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Antelope Street in Lotus River on Sunday afternoon, yet another infant’s body was discovered on an open field used as a dumping site in Vrygrond.
The back-to-back discoveries have sent shockwaves through the Cape Flats, leaving communities reeling and searching for answers amid two deeply distressing incidents involving newborn babies.
Ward councillor Mandy Marr confirmed the second discovery in a statement shared on her Facebook page.
“I am deeply saddened to share the news that the body of a baby has been discovered on Vrygrond Avenue. This is an absolutely devastating and senseless tragedy. My heart goes out to the entire community as we all mourn this painful loss,” she said.
Marr appealed to residents to stay clear of the area while emergency services remained on the scene to conduct investigations.
Police Spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed Muizenberg police registered an Inquest for investigation following the discovery of a foetus on a open field in Vryground Avenue, on Monday, at 09:40.
"SAPS members attended to a complaint at the mentioned address where an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) member notice a foetus dumped between the dirt. "She was busy cleaning the area (open field on Vryground Avenue) when she was pulling the dirt using a rake and between the dirt appeared the foetus." Van Wyk said the motive is believed to be concealment of birth. Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The grim discoveries come as police continue probing the disappearance of a newborn baby girl, which has already led to the arrest of a 31-year-old mother on charges of child neglect.
According to reports, the woman and her newborn were last seen travelling in a taxi from Retreat to Lotus River after being discharged from hospital on Saturday. They reportedly got off at the corner of 4th Avenue and Buck Road.
However, it is alleged that the woman later returned home without the baby, whose whereabouts were unknown at the time.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Grassy Park police are investigating the matter.
“The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the child are under investigation. We can confirm that a 31-year-old female was arrested and will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court once she has been charged,” Twigg said.
As investigations continue, police have urged anyone with information that may assist to come forward.
The identities of the infants have not yet been released, and post-mortem examinations are expected to shed more light on the causes of death.