An abandoned newborn baby was saved by JMPD officers.
Johannesburg, South Africa – As millions of Joburg residents made their way to the voting stations on the 8 May election day to cast their votes; another person made his/ her way to abandon a newborn baby.
Two concerned members of the public approached the JMPD officers, Evelyn Mothibe and Nompulelo Nhlapo, while they were patrolling Hillbrow around 7:36 in the morning.
They reported what seemed to be a baby crying on the sidewalk near the Rea Vaya lane on Twist Street and Wolmarans Street in Hillbrow. The two officers immediately rushed to the scene and discovered a newborn baby boy who had been abandoned in a plastic bag.
The two officers immediately called for backup and assistance by the Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS). The baby was taken by EMS to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital for examination.
Public Safety MMC Michael Sun says “This is the second case since June 2018 where we see new-borns being abandoned at bus stops, we are horrified to see how anyone can simply ‘throw away’ a baby in a plastic bag. I want to commend our two JMPD Officers Evelyn and Nompulelo for their quick action and for saving the baby boy’s life.”
Elaborating on the incident, he said “We will ensure that a criminal case is opened and the parents of Baby X and the perpetrator are found, I feel that we as the government is also responsible to investigate the reason as to why Baby X was abandoned and offer assistance and counselling for those affected. There may be a young mother in distress who need chronic help.”
A similar incident occurred on the 26 June 2018, where a young mother wrapped her baby in a blanket and abandoned her at a bus stop, two Joburg metro bus drivers were quick to act and saved the baby. The mother was later arrested by JMPD officers and criminal charges laid against her.
The Department of Public Safety will continue to follow up on this matter and ensure that Baby X is in good health and care.
Anyone with information can call JMPD on 011 375 5911 to assist with investigations.
Child abandonment continues to be a major challenge in South Africa. Every year it is estimated that 3,500 children are abandoned and this figure refers only to the children who survive. Of these survivors, 90% are under the age of one. They are left alone and defenceless.
If you want to help abandoned babies in any way, please contact The Door of Hope or The Teddy Bear Clinic for more info.
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