Young mother get R500 bail after allegedly killing her one-month-old baby

A 28-year-old mother was granted bail of R500 on Monday after allegedly killing her one-month-old baby in Itsoseng phase 2, near Hebron, last month.

A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Henry Mamothame, said Miemie Mokoena appeared in the Garankuwa Magistrates Court on Monday.

He said the state did not oppose bail because the accused was cooperative and had a fixed address. The investigating officer, through an affidavit, further declared the accused not to be a flight risk.

“Mokoena allegedly called police to her home in Itsoseng phase 2, near Hebron on 26 June 2021 and registered a case of kidnapping.

“She allegedly told the police that two men armed with a knife and a firearm accosted her to her shack and took her baby away. The two were allegedly looking for her lover.”

Mamothame said preliminary police reports revealed that on 27 June 2021, a young girl walking past a small river in Hebron spotted a lifeless body of an infant floating in the water.

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The girl then reported the matter to members of the community, who later alerted the police.

“Upon conducting an intensive investigation, police went to interrogate Mokoena, and she confessed to committing the crime. She is being charged for murder, perjury, and defeating the ends of justice.”

He furthermore said Mokoena is expected back in court next month.

“The matter was postponed to 11 August 2021 for further investigations.”

DESPERATE MOTHERS URGED NOT TO DUMP THEIR BABIES

“Abandonment of infants in South Africa is, unfortunately, a common occurrence,”the The Door of Hope organisation said.

“Many of these children are left to die, or simply abandoned, in dustbins, open fields, public toilets, or on train tracks.”

The organisation that something needed to be done.

“In 1999 the Berea Baptist Mission Church said, “something needs to be done”. Under the leadership of Pastor Cheryl Allen, the church made a hole in their wall and a ‘Baby Box’ was installed allowing for mothers to leave their babies any time day or night for the church to take care of them.”

The moment a baby is placed, care workers on duty receive an electronic signal alerting them. The baby is taken in and the anonymity of the “donor” is ensured.

“News has spread and other babies have been brought personally by their mothers or have come through other means such as the police, community members, hospitals or clinics.”

ALSO READ: Fully developed foetus with placenta attached found DUMPED in Alberton