A 27-year-old woman from the Nonyevu locality in Port St Johns is facing a charge of murder after the body of her 11-month-old baby girl was found by a local man in the bushes.
Police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo says the man went into the bushes on Friday to relieve himself when he found the baby in a refuse bag.
Captain Matyolo says the man alerted the members of the community, and the mother was traced.
He says according to police information, on 29 December 2023, the infant got sick and passed away at about 05:00 on 1 January 2024.
“It is alleged that the mother wrapped the child with a towel, put her in a plastic bag and then threw her in the bushes at Nonyevu locality where she was living at the time.
“The mother was assaulted by the community and is hospitalised,” Captain Matyolo said.
“She will be charged with murder and will appear in the Port St Johns magistrate court soon. A post mortem will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.”
