REDDERSBURG – The SAPS in Reddersburg has launched an inquest and an extensive search for a woman suspected of concealing the birth of a newborn. Police confirmed that the infant’s body was found hidden in a plastic bag that had been concealed in a stormwater culvert.
Sgt Sinah Mpakane, spokesperson for the Free State police, said a community worker made the grim discovery yesterday, on Wednesday 17 June, while cleaning a stormwater culvert on Luthando Street in the Matoporong township. The town Reddersburg is situated 60 km south of Bloemfontein.
The worker, employed in road maintenance on the N6, found the body at approximately 10:45.
“The worker noticed a suspicious white plastic bag in the culvert. Upon opening it, he discovered the wrapped remains of the infant. He immediately alerted authorities,” said Mpakane.
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She said the emergency medical services personnel who had been summoned to the scene declared infant dead.
Mpakane confirmed that the body had since been transported to a local mortuary, adding that police had registered an inquest docket for further investigation and were searching for a woman suspected of concealing the birth of a newborn.
“Authorities are appealing to the community for any information that could assist in identifying and locating the child’s mother,” said Mpakane.
Police request anyone with relevant information to contact the Reddersburg police or dial the SAPS Crime Stop hotline, 08600 10111.
