Eleven month-old Akhimbali Mafentile’s mother (20) is set to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s court Friday afternoon on a charge of murder and child neglect, reports IOL.
The woman was arrested on Wednesday. The news follows the discovery of her son’s body in a dried-up dam in Bloekombos, Kraaifontein.
“The body of an 11-month-old baby boy was discovered near a dam in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein on Wednesday afternoon, following the child’s disappearance on March 21.
“Detectives are probing all possibilities, and it is too soon to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the case at this stage. A single suspect, a 20-year-old female was arrested and is expected to make a court appearance on Friday (today) in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder and child neglect,” said police spokesperson Andre Traut.
One of the four women who found little Akhimbali’s body, Lelethu Somtsewu said the community was still trying to digest the news of the child’s death when they found out that his mother had been arrested and charged.
“We are still very shocked about what we discovered yesterday. That baby was innocent and we want to know why she would do that to a child she gave birth to,” said Kraaifontein community leader Lelethu Somtsewu.
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