Mosetsanagape Ntapile, who was without legal representation, might be looking at a three-year term behind bars after pleading guilty to the offence. According to the charge sheet, on or between August 24th and 26th, 2012 at or near Bontleng, Ntapile secretly delivered a baby and threw it into a pit latrine to conceal its birth. Ntapile who was believed to have been 5-7 months pregnant on that fateful day, was suspected to have given birth though she never revealed her pregnancy to anyone. When giving evidence in court, prosecuting officer Maemo Leshiba told the court that on August 26th, 2012, they received a call at Urban Police Station to the effect that an unknown person had thrown a new-born baby into a pit latrine.
He said investigations pointed to Ntapile. The baby was retrieved and rushed to Princess Marina Hospital where a doctor certified it dead. Leshiba told the court that a DNA test identified the baby to be Ntapile's. "Her intention was to conceal the birth by endeavouring secret disposition of the bodyof the baby and was therefore warned and cautioned as now charged," Letshiba said. Among the exhibits produced as evidence include a medical report form, a post mortem report, an affidavit from the forensic laboratory and an album of photos collected during investigations. During mitigation, Ntapile prayed for leniency saying all her five children solely depend on her, adding that some of them are in school. She asked that the court take into account that she is a first time offender and genuinely regrets what she did. Asked by the magistrate about the whereabouts of her baby's fathers, Ntapile said she took two of them to court. She said she does not know the fathers of the other children. The magistrate said she should have not had many children since there are birth contraception methods available for free. Ntapile was remanded in custody to await sentencing on January 28th, 2012.
