Durban - A 6-month-old baby girl who was allegedly thrown against a bed by her father was left with multiple fractures of the skull, a broken arm, fingers and ribs.
Now her 33-year-old Mozambican father, who has been living in the country illegally for 14 years, has been charged with attempted murder.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the baby, appeared at the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty.
The child’s mother testified that he had assaulted the baby on two separate occasions at the informal Chatsworth settlement where they were living.
She said he became enraged when he was told the baby was not his.
She testified that she arrived illegally in the country in June. She had met her boyfriend in Mozambique and he had persuaded her to come to South Africa.
She said they had constantly quarrelled and during an argument on the weekend of September 26-27, he became so angry that he grabbed her daughter and threw her against the bed. She said he did this on more than one occasion.
When she approached his family, they tried to play down the incident to prevent him from being entangled with the law.
“They agreed that I should be sent back home to Mozambique as he would be imprisoned if the baby was taken to hospital.
“I also asked him (her boyfriend) to take the child to the hospital, but he said he did not know of any hospitals here.”
On September 28, she, her boyfriend’s sister and another woman walked to RK Khan Hospital where the baby was admitted.
A report by the hospital’s paediatrician, Dr Yugendhree Nattar, revealed that a CT scan showed multiple fractures of the head. The baby’s left arm and forearm, left fingers, left ribs and right thigh were also fractured. She was being treated for pneumonia as well as the multiple fractures.
The accused denied assaulting the baby, or arguing with her mother. He said he had no idea how the baby was injured and was only told by his girlfriend that the baby was unwell and needed hospital treatment.
He is also adamant the baby is his.
“I never assaulted the baby.
“I personally have been to the hospital… I do not know how the child was injured and did not see any blood wounds.”
A police source said the accused was arrested by members of the Chatsworth family violence and child protection and sexual offences unit.
The matter was adjourned to later this month for judgment.
The baby is said to be making a speedy recovery.
Daily News