Police are investigating a case in which a newborn baby was retrieved alive from a pit latrine in Xhosa 1 ward, Mahalapye, on Friday evening.
Even though the baby's mother claims she had frequented the bathroom when the baby somehow fell into the toilet, investigations are ongoing to establish what really transpired. According to Mahalapye-Central Police Station commander, Superintendent Moatlhodi Onalenna the mother, who claims she was four months pregnant, hadn't registered her pregnancy at the local clinic despite those alleged months. "We suspect foul play because the 31-year-old mother alleged to have been using the toilet, and the baby fell inside, something that could only be cleared by nurses and doctors if it's possible to happen," he said. "Moreover, she claims she was four months pregnant but had not yet registered, something which also raises eyebrows.
The baby was heard crying inside the toilet, and she came to report the incident to her parents, who reported the matter to the police." Onalenna stated that the police officers rushed to the scene and retrieved the baby from the pitlatrine alive. Both the mother and her newborn baby are currently being held at Mahalapye hospital for medical assistance while investigations into the matter are ongoing, he said.
