Woman appears in court after baby found abandoned in bucket

Newborn found abandoned on Sunday receiving medical treatment from first responders Photo: IPSS

Newborn found abandoned on Sunday receiving medical treatment from first responders Photo: IPSS

Published Jun 29, 2020

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Durban - A 28-year-old woman appeared in the Mtunzini Magistrate's Court court on Monday on charges of attempted murder after a newborn was found in Isithebe area north of Durban on Sunday morning. 

The newborn was discovered in a bucket near a bush next to a river by a passerby who contacted the authorities. The newborn was treated for exposure to the cold by first responders from IPSS ambulance services.

According to police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala, the newborn is being treated at a local hospital. 

This is the just the latest case of child abandonment in recent months. At the beginning of June a newborn was found on a pavement in Chatsworth.

In May, the body of a newborn was discovered in Durban central.

Ward councillor Kathleen Naidoo condemned the act, labelling it as "callous".

"This was uncalled for. We have hospitals, clinics and other mechanisms in place to help people in situations like this.

"We're already dealing with issues like the pandemic, violence against women and children. There is no need to compound these social ills by adding child abandonment to list, but we are grateful that the child survived and is in hospital," she said.

Adeshni Naicker operations manager at Childline KZN expressed concern over recent abandonment cases and implored mothers who cannot cope to consider other alternatives.

"Expectant mothers who feel they are unable to care for their babies should explore the option of adoption. There are many organisations as well as the Department of Social Development who facilitates these adoptions. There are also many private social workers who specialise in adoption."  

Youandi Gilain from Open Arms SA said the national lockdown had made life harder for expectant mothers.

"Mothers who have given birth during lockdown had to suffer a lot as Home Affairs and Sassa was closed so that means no grants so no financial help to get essentials."

Gilain believes that more should be done to stem the tide in what is a concerning trend.

"There is not enough done to address child abandonment. Hospitals, clinics and social workers should be more helpful and kinder to those who seek help. We all have our opinions but that should not stand in the way of being kind and helping others. No one should fear to ask for help."

Expectant mothers who are struggling can contact Open Arms SA on 084 488 1359 or Childline KZN on 080 005 5555 for assistance.

Daily News

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