Killing of infants in SA spikes – authorities worried

But these days, especially in South Africa, some parents are so desperate that they feel the only way out is to take the life of their new-born child.

“This practice, known as ‘infanticide’, is one of intentionally killing an infant by the parents themselves or with their consent. Thousands of children are victims of infanticide annually in South Africa.

“What is needed is a way to communicate the message that there is hope and help available to them,” says Miranda Jordan Friedmann, executive director of Women And Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA).

According to a survey released by the World Health Organisation, infanticide is considered rare in high-income countries, but was found to be relatively common in South Africa.

“This is particularly concerning, since contraception is available in South Africa and the country has liberal abortion legislation,” Friedmann says.

“Research shows that infanticide is rooted in psychosocial and structural factors, such as poverty, lack of social support, lack of access to services and dysfunctional relationships.

“Limpopo lacks access to services and this compounds the problem.”

She also commented on the spike in the number of children being killed in Limpopo, even during Child Protection Week.

“Regarding Limpopo, the Department of Health and the police have appealed to parents and young mothers to approach social workers, NGOs that are equipped to help, or to contact children and family services for help,” she says.

“In Tzaneen, a woman appeared in court and was remanded in custody after being accused of killing her baby, last month.

“And then, a 32-year-old man accused of killing a two-year-old boy, after an argument with his mother, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on June 3.”

She also referred to a 33-year-old man who hit his two-year-old daughter’s head against a wall and then set the house alight, after he allegedly stabbed his girlfriend in Madibeng Village, Limpopo.

“Then there is the case of a 30-year-old mother, who allegedly hacked her three-month-old daughter to death and who has been referred to a mental hospital.

These are just a few of the cases that have made it into the media over a short period.

“Also, recently, in KwaZulu-Natal, a young woman who couldn’t take care of her seven-month-old baby stabbed the infant to death after she did not get her R300 monthly child support grant; she was sentenced in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on June 4,” Friedmann says.

She explains that infanticide is caused by various contributing factors, such as a baby being born out of wedlock, for economic reasons (unable to care for or provide the basics – shelter, food and water), disapproval from elders, traditional beliefs, depression, poverty, fear, shame, unemployment, pregnancy due to incest, as well as the urge for mothers to rid themselves of burdensome, sickly children.

“You also get those who suffer from postpartum depression, which is also called postnatal depression, which can affect women, after childbirth.”

Infanticide is divided into three types, Friedmann explains: ‘Infanticide (infant homicide) is the intentional killing of an infant, while female infanticide is the deliberate killing of a new-born female child.

“There is also neonaticide, which is the killing of an infant within 24 hours of birth.

“Infanticide has gone on in various cultures for centuries and is the oldest method of family planning; centuries ago it was a method of population control and considered safer than abortion for the mother.

“The gender of the baby would also be known; but as cultures evolve and develop, infant murder is no longer seen as acceptable, especially in South Africa.

“The Children’s Act of 2005 states that the state is required to provide and fund a full range of child protection services.

“In practice, the demand for services exceeds the response capacity of existing services and is characterised by long waiting lists and poor service delivery.

“Infanticide, as a cause of death, may be a major concern for South African authorities, but this can be rectified by visible and available social services in each community.

“Government needs to implement or upgrade these services and provide funding for them as quickly as possible.

“There are many NGOs, agencies, social workers and organisations ready and willing to help, but Government should not leave this issue to NGOs and the private sector alone, it is their responsibility, too.

“What is desperately needed is a way to communicate to disadvantaged and desperate mothers that there is help available – and if the state cannot assist them, there are organisations they can approach.

“We need a viable and easy way to communicate this to communities, so parents and caregivers know how to find the support and care they need before they commit a crime.”

Issued by: Women & Men Against Child Abuse is a Non-profit organisation committed to fighting for the rights of the child and to end the abuse of children in South Africa, through a multifaceted, dynamic and aggressive offensive against any form of abuse and gender violence.

For comment:

Miranda Jordan Friedmann 076 415 7109 / 011 789 8815

Vincentia Dlamini 082 896 9840

Research references:

*Prinsloo M, Laubscher R, Neethling I, Bradshaw D. Fatal violence among children under 15 years in four cities of South Africa, 2001–2005.

**Richter L, Dawes A. Child abuse in South Africa: rights and wrongs. Child Abuse Rev 2008.

*** Seedat M, Van Niekerk A, Jewkes R, Suffla S, Ratele K. Violence and injuries in South Africa: prioritising an agenda for prevention. Lancet 2009.