By Buziwe Nocuze
Gugulethu police have launched an investigation after city workers found the body of a baby in a drain in Moonlight Village, KTC, Cape Town.
A resident, speaking anonymously, said women continue to dump their babies because they rarely get caught.
“Every week there are incidents where babies are found at dumps or in drains. They know it’s hard for the police to catch them.”
Ward 38 councillor Susan Zumana said this isn’t the first time a newborn has been found like this.
She had asked the City to drain the water, thinking the blockage was due to recent heavy rains, but she was shocked to learn that a baby was found in the drain.
Zumana rushed to the scene and was shocked by what she saw.
“Seeing an innocent child’s body in the drain broke my heart,” she said, saying something similar happened recently.
Zumana thinks awareness campaigns in townships must be undertaken to educate women and young girls on preventing pregnancies.
“Our government offers free family planning at clinics. We need to remind women to use these services,” she said.
She also wants women to know there are places that can take care of unwanted children.
“Killing the baby is not the solution. If they can’t care for the baby, there are many places that can help. They just need to ask,” said Zumana.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, said Gugulethu police responded to a call on Moonlight Street. They found the body of the baby around 3.30pm.
“Local workers discovered the body while cleaning drains in the area. The baby was declared dead by medical personnel,” said Swartbooi.
Earlier this week, recyclers at the Rietfontein dumping site in Ekurhuleni found two dead newborn babies in garbage bags.
Pictured above: Stormwater drain.
Source: Stock
