Malamulele: Body of newborn found inside oven in yard
The women in the community held a meeting to find out who had recently been pregnant in an effort to identify the culprit.
LIMPOPO – The discovery of the body of a newborn inside the oven of an unused, rusty old stove at Ximixoni village outside Malamulele last Sunday afternoon has left the community in disbelief.
According to those who lived next door, who asked not to be named, the house where the infant was discovered belonged to a man who had relocated to Gauteng nearly two years ago, and the house had been unoccupied since.
The owner had apparently sent a family member to the house to clean out some old belongings, upon which a scrap metal owner had been instructed to collect some items. The unused stove in which the baby’s body was found, was among these items.
“The men started calling out for community members to come and see what they had found, and when we went there, we were shocked. There was still a bit of blood on the baby’s neck,” the source told CV.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the incident. “The police were informed about the discovery and upon their arrival, summoned emergency services personnel who inspected the body and declared the baby dead. The baby girl appeared to have been dumped inside the unused stove,” he said.
The Saselamani police opened an inquest.
According to the ward councillor, Setfree Hlungwani, the women of the community held on July 31 to find out who had recently been pregnant in an effort to identify the culprit. A second meeting was held last Wednesday.
The media liaison officer for Social Development, Joshua Kwapa, said they hoped investigations would reveal the details of what had happened, and lead to an arrest and successful prosecution.
“Our call is for mothers to have options in the event that they are not able to care for their newborns. Giving their children up for adoption is one of these. We are calling on mothers to contact social workers, who will provide professional help, which will lead to the protection and care of newborns.”
Anyone who can assist the police with information about the mother can contact Detective WO Reckson Chauke on 082 414 2989.
