- A fully-developed foetus was discovered abandoned in a plastic bag at Sikalekhekhe informal settlement in Town Two on Sunday 25 August.
- The circumstances surrounding the discovery are unclear, but residents are calling for the perpetrator to be arrested and held accountable.
- The community is taking steps to investigate the matter furthe as the incident is believed to be the first of its kind in the area.
Makhaza police have opened an inquest following the discovery of an abandoned foetus in Town Two, on Sunday 25 August.
The “fully-developed” foetus was reportedly discovered at Sikalekhekhe informal settlement around 10:10.
Provincial police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana says police were called to the scene following the shocking discovery. “Police members attended the scene where, upon arrival, they found a newborn baby covered with a plastic bag. The baby was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel,” she said.
Circumstances surrounding the discovery are unclear. However, Manyama says police have launched an inquest into the matter.
Sisanda, a resident, described the incident as “terrible”.
“I’m not sure about the gender of the baby. But the people who saw the foetus say it was a fully-developed baby with hair and all the organs,” she said, adding that the baby had no scratches or scars.
Sisanda said the community would also investigate the matter to ensure the perpetrator got arrested.
“We need to come clean. We know each other as neighbours. We know who was pregnant in our areas.
“Every woman needs to have their breasts tested in public to see if there is no milk coming out,” she said.
Sisanda said described the incident as the first of its kind since she moved into the area three years ago.
