Tragic Case of Child Abandonment in South Africa

A woman who immigrated to South Africa in 2022 to find work has been detained on charges of child abandonment. Originally from Maseru, she left her two children, aged 11 and 5, behind in hopes of securing a better future for her family.

After finding a job as a machinist at a textile factory, the woman became pregnant with her third child. During her pregnancy, there were disputes with her boyfriend about the baby's paternity, as he suspected she had been unfaithful. When the child was born, the man refused to communicate with her, which deepened her distress.

In a moment of desperation, the woman revealed that she placed her newborn baby in a black bin bag with the intention of discarding the child in a storm water drain. As she was approaching the drain to carry out her plan, she was startled by an approaching vehicle and threw the baby toward a manhole before fleeing the scene.

The woman is currently being held in connection with the incident, recorded as Verulam Case 183/02/2025. This heartbreaking story sheds light on the challenges faced by migrant workers and the dire situations some may find themselves in. The case underscores the importance of supporting families in distress to prevent such tragic outcomes.