{"id":309564,"date":"2026-06-18T09:55:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/?p=309564"},"modified":"2026-06-18T10:09:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T08:09:21","slug":"newborn-babys-body-found-hidden-in-stormwater-pipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/newborn-babys-body-found-hidden-in-stormwater-pipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Newborn baby&#8217;s body found hidden in stormwater pipe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>REDDERSBURG<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SAPoliceService\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">SAPS<\/a> 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&#8217;s body was found hidden in a plastic bag that had been concealed in a stormwater culvert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The worker, employed in road maintenance on the N6, found the body at approximately 10:45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;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,&#8221; said Mpakane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/kidnapped-bellville-baby-found-safe-after-intensive-search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kidnapped Bellville baby found safe after intensive search<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said the emergency medical services personnel who had been summoned to the scene declared infant dead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Authorities are appealing to the community for any information that could assist in identifying and locating the child&#8217;s mother,&#8221; said Mpakane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Police request anyone with relevant information to contact the Reddersburg police or dial the SAPS Crime Stop hotline, 08600 10111.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Authorities are appealing to the community for any information that could assist in identifying and locating the child&#8217;s 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