The body of a newborn girl was found in a stormwater drain in Lotus River yesterday. 

Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the Western Cape police spokesperson, says Grassy Park police are investigating a case of child abandonment. 

He said the baby was discovered at around 14:00 in a drain at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Antelope Street after a search following her reported disappearance on Saturday. 

Twigg says the child’s 31-year-old mother was arrested and remains in custody. She is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court once formally charged. 

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation,” he adds. 

Never alone 

Sophia Warner, co-founder of Khethani Women’s Wellness in the Western Cape, says mothers need to know they are not alone. 

Warner adds that the organisation is responsible for the Helderberg Baby Saver, located at Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centre, which forms part of the Baby Savers South Africa network. 

She said the network supports and promotes safe surrender sites across the country where mothers in crisis can safely leave their babies.  

“I am not sure of the statistics, but we still hear of a lot of child abandonment cases through the media,” she adds. 

Warner says there are several organisations across the country where mothers can get help before and after their babies are born.

“These organisations offer care and support. It is a safe environment where women don’t have to feel judged. They just need to reach out,” she explains. 
 
For assistance, visit Baby Savers South Africa.  

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