A 25-year-old woman of the Holomisa informal settlement in Bekkersdal was arrested on Tuesday, February 1 for leaving her three-month-old baby alone in a shack for several hours.

According to Bekkersdal Police spokesperson Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, the baby boy was only rescued at around 15:15 by neighbours who had to break down the door, after his mother had left there alone that morning.

One of the neighbours heard the baby crying incessantly for a long time. They soon realised that the child was left by himself,” Sergeant Lefakane said.

Later in the day when the mother of the child was spotted walking back to her shack she was arrested immediately.

“She was charged with child neglect. The infant was taken to the Bekkersdal Clinic for medical attention where he was referred to the hospital for medical examinations,” Sergeant Lefakane said.

Also read: Newborn baby girl found abandoned without any clothes

Police have warned that child neglect and child abandonment are criminal offences punishable by law.

She advised that before mothers put their children’s lives at risk, they first should consider ways in which they can deal with unplanned pregnancies, rather than neglecting or abusing their children.

We have facilities such as Victim Empowerment Centres at police stations all across the West Rand District, where counselling is offered to victims of any crime. We’re urging the public to make use of these services.

“Let us work with the police in the fight against crime. Report any suspicious behaviour immediately to Crime Stop on 08600 10111, alternatively send an anonymous tip-off on the My SAPS app that can be downloaded on every smartphone,” Lefakane said.