According to a provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, a 40-year-old woman appeared in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court today, October 18, as suspect in a case of child neglect.
Noise Mhaule has been remanded in custody as the matter was postponed for application of legal aid representation. She is expected back in court on October 19.
Mhaule was arrested at Matikwana Hospital in Mkhuhlu near Bushbuckridge. The arrest was made by police members of the Acornhoek Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit after an infant that was rescued from a pit toilet at a church in Ximhungwe on October 17.
Police search for mother who allegedly dumped baby in toilet near Bushbuckridge – October 17
The police in Calcutta are looking for a woman who abandoned a newborn baby boy inside a pit toilet at a church in Ximhungwe near Bushbuckridge on Sunday morning, October 15.
According to the police, members of the public heard the cry of a baby inside a pit toilet. They alerted the authorities and proceeded to dig behind the toilet and managed to rescue the child. The baby’s umbilical cord was still attached.
The child was taken to hospital for treatment, while police opened a case of child neglect.
No arrest has been made.
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Members of the public with information on the mother’s whereabouts are urged to call the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or send information via MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
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The incident has been strongly condemned by the management of the SAPS in Mpumalanga. Members of the public are urged to make use of the services of social workers, faith-based organisations and other structures.