Cape Town – The mother of a baby girl found dumped in the bush near Oaklands Drive in Dawncrest, KwaZulu-Natal claims she had contacted social workers twice before resorting to dumping the infant.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the baby was found with a bag containing nappies, a bottle of milk and a pacifier by a man who was picking mangoes on Monday morning.
The baby, who is approximately three months old, was also found with a note from the mother.
In the short letter, the mother pleaded with whoever found her baby to not judge her but rather help the infant.
“You might be wondering why I dumped my baby, don’t wonder just help her if you can or call authorities but don’t judge me. I have spoken twice with social workers they delayed to assist, I know this bad but I had no option the system is fragile and we can’t even abort safely anymore, hospitals have strict rules,” the mother wrote.
RUSA said that on arrival at the scene, a female officer & medics were called and the baby’s soaked diaper was changed.
“The baby girl was then fed with a bottle of milk. Medics examined the infant aged approx three (3) months and found her to be in good health,” said RUSA.
A criminal case of child abandonment was set to be registered & Reaction Officers would be seeking assistance to identify the child or mother, said RUSA.
Anyone who can assist can contact 086 1234 333 (RUSA).
Social media users applauded the mother for not harming the child and called for more safety boxes where women in need can leave their babies safely.
While some offered to help by donating nappies and clothing, others urged fathers to take responsibility for their babies.
Sindiswa Mngadi said : “This baby has been well looked after. The mother did the best she could but like she says on the letter she had tried reaching out to the Social workers but they did not do anything. My heart goes out to her.”
Another social media user Mandy Holmes wrote: “This is incredibly sad. I cant even imagine what mom was going through as she walked away. Just too heart-wrenching.”
“There should have more of those baby safety boxes where women can safely put their baby in there,” Nicole Kubisto wrote.
