Update: Police finally make arrest after latest discovery

A fourth dumped foetus was found in Middelburg in less than 30 days.

August 10, 2016

Gerhard Rheeder 1 minute read

Breanda Mrenga was arrested over the weekend after her allegedly still born baby girl was found dumped in a plastic bag next to a stream in Nasaret. She was apprehended with the help of the community.

In the last week of July, three foetuses were found dumped in Mhluzi, two at full term and the third, estimated at eight months gestation, missing its right leg.

Two of the foetuses found in July were discovered at a dumpsite, while the third was discovered by primary school children on a walking path, used by hundreds of pedestrians daily.

The latest discovery was made on Saturday near a stream next to Nasaret by a passerby, who was attracted by a swarm of flies hovering around a plastic bag.

The community mobilised and identified a pregnant woman who suspiciously lost her baby over the weekend.

Breanda Mrenga, a foreign national, was arrested and charged with concealment of birth.

She appeared in court on Monday. Police say they are still on the hunt for the mothers of the three babies dumped in Mhluzi.

Timeline of other foetus discoveries in town:

• 2012 – Two foetuses were found dumped in Middelburg town, one in a dumpster in the vicinity of the Rex Cafe, and the other drifting in a bucket in Athlone Dam.

• 2014 – Baby X is discovered, wrapped in newspaper, next to the railway line by a passing teenager. The baby survived and has since been adopted.

• 2016 – July: Three babies are found in six days. Two of them, one estimated at eight months gestation, and the other a full term baby, were found on the dumping site. The last one was discovered by primary school children next to a footpath used by hundreds of pedestrians each day. August 6: A baby girl, wrapped in a plastic bag, was discovered in Nasaret. Breanda Mrenga was arrested and charged for concealment of birth.