Alex police spokesperson Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela said the police had been called to a shack in Setwetla by neighbours and found a woman screeching in pain, and a dead two-year-old baby at her side.
“We ascertained that the woman had poisoned her baby and later herself in an apparent suicide attempt,” said Maphakela. The woman was rushed to hospital under police guard where doctors battled to save her unborn child, but the foetus was removed and declared dead.
Maphakela said the police could not establish the reason behind the woman’s poisoning of her child and the attempt to take her own life, but suspected she was unable to support her child financially.
“We call upon members of the community who might be experiencing difficult times not to take their own lives or that of their children, but to approach Alex police who will gladly assist them,” Maphakela said.
Maphakela said the death of the two-year-old baby would be investigated and depending on the outcome the woman may be charged with murder or culpable homicide.
