Commission for Gender Equality outraged by the murder of a newborn baby.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has learnt, with shock and disbelieve, of the gruesome beating to death of a newborn baby allegedly at the hands of the baby’s 30-year-old mother. The incident is alleged to have happened in Malamulele, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo province. The details of the story so far, seem to -indicate that the mother of the baby was either not aware of, or did not acknowledge that she was pregnant shortly before she gave birth in the toilet at a local Kunjani Clinic. Having given birth, it is alleged that the mother proceeded to assault the newly born baby who subsequently succumbed to the injuries at a later stage. It is reported that the woman has since been placed under arrest.

While the CGE is yet to be fully informed to understand the circumstances that could have led to such a gruesome occurrence, we are aware that a variety of tragic personal circumstances often play a critical role in events of this nature, including possible lack of adequate social and emotional support services for the perpetrators of such violence. Nonetheless, the brutal assault and killing of a newly born and defenseless baby by a mother is not only shocking but also reprehensive and unjustifiable. It is unfortunate that this case is just one among many more in a huge number of cases of violence directed at children in South Africa.

In the wake of such incidents, it is only appropriate to encourage South Africans in their families, local communities and within the country as a whole to take stock of violent nature of our country, and therefore seek ways to deal with its underlying social, economic, emotional and psychological causes. More importantly though, greater education and knowledge around sexual and reproduction health including family support and other relevant services could have played an important role to obviate the infanticide that occurred in this instance. 

While the Commission expects that the law will take its course in what has so tragically happened in Malamulele, we also encourage that local social support and welfare services, including appropriate information relating to sexual health and reproductive care services are made available and within reach by all those who need them, to avoid incidents of this nature recurring in local communities across the country, as is so often the case.

Contact Person:
Javu Baloyi (Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 579 3306