“The community must take responsibility and step up to assist the police in finding the mother who dumped her newborn baby in a rubbish bin last week.”
So says Kraaifontein ward councillor Grant Twigg about the baby found dead outside Rivonia Court in Scottsdene on Wednesday afternoon. Twigg urges the community to inform the police in this investigation.
“This woman must have been pregnant for between seven and nine months and people around her must have known that she was pregnant, and now there is no baby. This woman needs help on many levels,” he says.
“To kill your unwanted baby is not the answer, it is murder. If you don’t want your baby, go to the clinic and find out where you can take your baby to be adopted.”
He urges young people who choose to be sexually active to visit their local clinic for family planning options.
Police opened a case of concealment of birth and is currently investigating the case. The sex of the baby has not been confirmed by police.
Kraaifontein CPF chair Robb Bisset said he was disgusted to see that this still happens while help is readily available in Kraaifontein.
“The CPF has put out to the community so many times that there is a babysaver available in Kraaifontein.
“A baby can be placed in this safe place and within a matter of minutes will be picked up by the carers. It is so disheartening to even think about dumping a little one when we have a safe haven for them,” he says.
The Open Arms of Hope babysaver is situated outside the Lofdal International Church grounds off Paarl Road in Bloekombos.
Made from a shipping container a person can place the baby safely inside a holding area, after which the door automatically locks.
On closing the door, a number is automatically dialled and within three minutes a carer will collect the baby.
The centre also provides free counselling to pregnant teen mothers or those unable to provide for their babies.
“The babysaver was opened in November last year after we had talks with Kraaifontein police. Although it is a criminal act to abandon a baby, it was agreed that there was a great need for a babysaver in Kraaifontein due to the many cases of abandonment of babies in this suburb,” says Karin Senekal of Open Arms of Hope.
Senekal says no babies have been left there as yet.
“We want mothers to know that they have a choice and can choose life for their babies. Should they choose to leave their babies here it is done anonymously and police will not look for them.”
Senekal says the issue of baby abandonment is very complex.
“Sometimes these pregnant mothers are completely alone with no one to turn to. The pregnancy can be as a result of rape or incest. There can be many reasons for the mother not wanting or being able to care for the baby.”
A baby left at the babysaver will be placed in a place of safety by Badisa.
“There is hope. If you are pregnant and feel that you can not keep the baby you can phone us and we will support you. This is an offering of life for your baby,” says Senekal.
- For help in case of an unwanted pregnancy Open Arms of Hope can be contacted on 082 862 4457.
