Mom faces charges over baby killing

A FREE State woman, 22, accused of illegally aborting her full-term foetus, is to face murder charges once she is discharged from hospital.

It is alleged that Dikeledi* (her real name may not be used), from Clarens, bought muti in the hope of aborting the foetus at home on Thursday.

It is understood the muti brought on labour and a baby was born alive. Police found the body of the baby buried in the mother’s backyard. The baby had allegedly been strangled.

The woman is in a critical condition.

Dikeledi told Health-e News: “I was staying with my older sister and would often go out with different guys. I would show appreciation for the things they bought me by sleeping with them. A condom was the last thing on my mind.

“I found out a few months ago that I was pregnant after I went to the clinic because I was suffering from heavy flu. I was so ashamed and angry at myself that I couldn’t wait for the sister to explain any details to me.

“I went to a tavern nearby, where I had too many drinks and then went home and cried myself to sleep.”

Dikeledi did not have the courage to tell her sister she was pregnant. The stress of not revealing this made her drink more to try to forget.

“I went to Bethlehem where I went to see a traditional healer who gave me the muti to drink.”

Dikeledi retur ned home on Thursday and took the entire bottle of medicine. She began vomiting and then started having contractions.

“I pushed and, boom, the infant was out. I quickly went outside, wrapped myself with a towel and dug a hole and threw the infant in. I was relieved for few hours, went back into the house and cleaned up the mess so my sister would not see.

“I had a few drinks and lay on the bed, but when my sister arrived she started screaming because there was so much blood.”

Dikeledi said she had continued to haemorrhage after the birth.

She told her sister what had happened and her sister called the police. While they were waiting for them, Dikeledi became more ill. She was taken to the Phekolong Hospital, where she was admitted.

Social worker Pule Mokgwethwa said he had noted an increase in the number of teenage girls falling pregnant and dumping their babies.

“We have shelters where these young mothers can come for help. They can give up their children safely.”

Nursing sister Elizabeth Moloi said Dikeledi had a bad infection from the muti and cuts she had inflicted on herself. – Health-e News