Cape Town - The body of a newborn has been found stashed in a plastic bag at a dumping site on Mew Way, Khayelitsha. At about 8am, City of Cape Town contract cleaners found the baby girl hidden in a plastic bag in TR Section.
Amanda Mkhalimba, who was cleaning the dump, said the bag seemed heavier than “a normal dirt bag”.
When she tried opening it, small legs popped out.
“Inside the bag the baby was wrapped in a navy skirt, a plaid jacket and a mustard head scarf. The clothes were tied all around her tiny body.”
Upon hearing Mkhalimba’s cry, residents ran to the dumpsite to see what had happened.
Resident Vuyokazi Nikelo said she untied the clothing to see the baby.
“I was curious to see if it was really dead. So I untied the knots of the clothes and when I reached the knot near the baby’s neck I saw that the child had been choked with the umbilical cord, which was around her neck.”
Nikelo said the baby was light in complexion.
“She wasn’t cold. Even the bloodstains looked fairly fresh. She must’ve been brought here in the early hours.”
Mkhalimba said she was traumatised and could not understand why someone would dump a baby.
“It’s shocking. There is help available for people who feel that they have no option but to dump the baby.
“It was a very cute child who deserved to live. Why couldn’t she have dropped the baby at my doorstep even or at a clinic?”
Mkhalimba was given the day off from work. She said she would visit a clinic for advice on how to deal with the trauma.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the incident. An inquest docket had been opened and no arrests had been made.
Meanwhile, Department of Social Development spokesman Sihle Ngobese said the department had dealt with 217 child abandonment cases in the past three years.
In 2013/14, 124 cases had been reported, 58 in 2012/13), and 35 this year.
“The department places priority on the rights and well-being of children. However, parents also play an important role.
“As the government we call on parents, especially those of newborns, to take responsibility for the welfare of their children.”
Ngobese urged overwhelmed parents to seek help from social workers, family and parent support programmes, as well as from residents.
“Any parent feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of parenthood can seek assistance from our social workers.
“In addition, the department works with NGOs such as the Child Welfare Society, the ACVV, Badisa and many others, which are dedicated to assisting in protecting children and rendering support and assistance to parents.”
For help, parents can call the department’s hotline at 0800 220 250.
Cape Argus