A newborn baby was found dumped alive on the roadside of the old Bracken Road between eMbalenhle and Evander on the evening of August 26.
The infant was wrapped in a blanket, and according to members of the community of Mandela Section, a pedestrian who saw the child informed other community members.
An ambulance was summoned to the scene, and the baby was taken to a clinic in eMbalenhle. Petros Moloi who arrived on the scene first when the baby was found, said they suspected someone dumped the child after an electricity outage in Mandela Section.
“During the day, children were playing next to that sport but there was no baby. I was called after the electricity outage about a baby dumped near the road.
“Because it was already dark, I thought it might be another foetus, but surprised to find a live newborn boy. I was grateful that the child is alive,” said Moloi.
“We called the police, who summoned the ambulance, and they took the baby to the eMbalenhle Clinic. I am happy the baby is in the hands of social workers,” said Moloi.
The Men’s Voice organisation’s social worker, Sakhile Mazibuko, said there might be many reasons behind the mother’s decision to dump the child, such as a lack of knowledge about pregnancy and child-rearing.
“The child’s mother may lack parenting skills and further options of having or raising the child. She might also go through something which prompted her to make such a decision, like issues with the other parent of the child because of gender-based violence,” explained Mazibuko.
He said social issues such as poverty, unemployment and substance abuse also play an integral part in such matters.
“Such incidents contravene the Children’s Act No 38 of 2005 because it constitutes child abuse and such abuse must be addressed accordingly,” said Mazibuko.
Mazibuko said their organisation encourages people to work through their issues, especially GBV.
Mazibuko said they listen and support people with psychosocial support, emotional wellness and further education on their issues (prevention of unwanted pregnancies or options for child rearing) to prevent incidences.
Constable Busi Mthethwa, the eMbalenhle police spokesperson, said a case of child neglect was opened.
The baby was taken to the Evander Hospital and placed in a temporary place of safety. Mthethwa said the FCS Unit is investigating the case.
ALSO READ: Bethal VLU-vroue neem afskeid van lid
ALSO READ: Helpende Hand-takke vergader op Secunda
