Where is my baby?
Riddle of newborn who ‘disappeared’ after birth
The past five months have been a nightmare for Khombo Mhlongo after her baby vanished mysteriously at a local clinic where she had given birth.
Speaking to Sowetan at her home at the Marikana settlement near Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, Mhlongo, 26, said she was still in the dark about her child’s whereabouts after the infant disappeared at the Refentse Clinic in Stinkwater, where the baby was delivered on May 22 this year.
The Gauteng department of health had launched an investigation into the matter but Mhlongo said she felt officials were dragging their feet on the case.
“It’s almost five months since my baby disappeared and I still don’t know whether he is dead or alive. If he is dead they must give me the body so that I can bury my child. I feel like they have let me down,” Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo, who has kept her baby clothes including miniature socks, vests and a yellow blanket, broke down in tears as she recalled the day the baby was born.
She said she arrived at the clinic on May 22 after experiencing labour pains.
Mhlongo said nurses at the clinic assisted her during labour but she was refused the opportunity to see the child after birth.
“I lifted my head and saw that the baby was breathing. The nurse told me to lie back and stop looking,” she said, noting that she could hear them talking about weighing the infant, who was born at six months.
“I was so confused. I didn’t know what was happening.”
Mhlongo said one of the nurses was rude and refused to give answers when her family came to fetch her.
“My mother kept asking them about the baby, but no one was telling us anything. By the time we left the clinic, I still did not know what had happened.”
Accompanied by her mother, she went back to the clinic the next day and the matron told them that the baby had died. “When we asked for the body, they said they could not find it.”
Mhlongo maintains her child is alive. “I think my child was sold. Why can’t they show us the body if he is dead?”
Mhlongo, who had not received counselling, explained further: “Every time I see a woman holding a baby I feel sad. This has affected me. My mother is also affected because she talks about the baby all the time.”
She said her two daughters, aged six and eight, were also asking questions about the baby.
“They see the clothes in the house and they ask when the baby is coming home.”
Yesterday, DA spokesperson for health Jack Bloom said the department had failed to act promptly on the case.
Bloom said health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa stated in a legislature question paper that the investigation was delayed because the implicated nurse had been on sick leave.
“There is something really fishy about this. There is a mother who doesn’t know what happened to her baby. Where is the body?” asked Bloom.
Spokesperson for the provincial department of health Lesemang Matuka said the investigation would be concluded soon.
“The department’s investigation is at an advanced stage to enable conclusion of the matter. Finalisation is expected in a week’s time,” said Matuka, noting that the implicated nurse had returned from leave.
“Engagement with her warranted further probing, hence citation that the matter is almost concluded.
“The department had to follow due investigation processes to enable conclusion of the matter.”
Treatment Action Campaign secretary in Gauteng Tshidiso Mokhele said this was a serious case which reflected the crisis in the public health system and human rights violations experienced by patients.
Mokhele said public facilities were no longer conducive for patients. “This is very disappointing,” he said.
Mokhele said his organisation would find out from the mother how the organisation could help.
It’s five months since he vanished, I still don’t know if he is dead or alive