Authorities in Calcutta, Mpumalanga, are on a vigilant search for a woman who abandoned a newborn in a pit toilet on the morning of Sunday, 15 October 2023.
Calcutta authorities lauded for saving newborn abandoned in pit toilet
The unsettling incident transpired around 10:40 at a church situated in Ronaldsey Trust, Ximhungwe near Bushbuckridge, where local residents heard the cries of an infant emanating from a pit toilet.
They swiftly notified the authorities who arrived at the scene and managed to rescue the newborn by digging behind the pit toilet.
Remarkably, the infant, a baby boy, still had his umbilical cord attached. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for necessary medical treatment, while a case of child neglect was registered by the police.
As of now, the relentless search for the mother continues with no arrests made thus far.
What are the penalties for abandoning children in South Africa?
This distressing event sheds light on the broader issue of child abandonment that has been plaguing South Africa. Reports indicate that an alarming number of around 3,500 unwanted babies are abandoned annually.
The act of desertion by a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver without any contact for a span of three months is deemed illegal.
According to the Department of Social Development, various factors contribute to the abandonment of children.
These include financial constraints, lack of familial support, unwanted pregnancies, resentment towards the baby, and fear of judgment from family members.
Despite the existence of laws like the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, which is designed to secure the rights and well-being of children, the effectiveness of these laws is often questioned, especially when it comes to the practical aspects of law enforcement and ensuring the safety of children.
In South Africa, the act of abandoning a child, particularly an infant in a manner likely to result in death, is a criminal offence.
However, the prosecution in such cases remains a rare occurrence, predominantly because the perpetrators, often the mother, remain elusive.