MTHATHA- A shocking discovery was made at the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality’s landfill site in Mthatha on 13th December 2024, when a three-week-old baby was found dead, wrapped in a 10kg plastic bag of rice.
According to King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality spokeperson Sonwabo Mampoza, the baby was discovered by municipal employees who were working at the landfill site.
“We suspect that the baby was abandoned by someone from the Southernwood area, as the pick-up truck that collects waste from that area was the one that brought the bag containing the baby to the dumpsite,” Mampoza said.
The municipality has condemned the incident and has reported it to the police. “We are deeply disturbed by this incident and urge anyone with information to come forward. As a municipality we condemn such acts of abandonment and neglect,” Mampoza said.
The incident has also sparked concern among local residents, who claim that baby abandonment is a common occurrence in the area. A local resident father Khwetshube who makes a living by collecting recyclable materials at the dumpsite, said that he is not surprised by the discovery.
“We see this kind of thing every day, people throw away all sorts of things including babies. It’s a sad reality that we live with.”
Father Khwetshube also expressed concern about the impact that such incidents have on the community, particularly children. “During school closures, I used to go with children to collect recyclable materials, but I had to stop because it’s not good for their developing minds. There are many souls of babies who wander around in this place.”
In addition the incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern, with many calling for greater support and resources to be made available to vulnerable families and individuals.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the community remains in shock and mourning for the young life that was lost.
Photograph: supplied
