The police arrested a 33-year-old woman following the death of her child under suspicious circumstances.
The incident took place in the Boikhutso Trust outside Bushbuckridge on Monday.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, preliminary reports suggest that the eight-month-old child’s death could have been the result of poisoning, and the incident was brought to the attention of the police by the staff of a local funeral parlour who were on the scene.
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“As part of the ongoing investigation, the forensic team has started gathering evidence with the hopes of determining the cause of death.”
Mdhluli said the motive behind the incident is unknown at this stage and will form part of the investigations. He said the public will be updated as further information becomes available.
“The suspect is expected to appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court soon.”
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The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has condemned the alleged killing of the child and called on the members of the public to refrain from taking out their frustrations on innocent children.
“The law should surely deal decisively with any person who harms children, regardless of any excuse one might think up. Our role is to protect the vulnerable, including children,” he said.