Baby killer accused remanded in jail

THE mother accused of killing her newborn baby will remain in police custody while her four other children have been put in a safe place after she was charged with murder.

Dalene Petersen, 32, made a brief appearance at the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court.

The baby was a mere three-hours-old when the mother allegedly strangled him to death and stuffed his body under a mattress.

Sihle Ngobese spokesperson for Albert Fritz, MEC for social development attended the proceedings and said they would be closely following the case.

“We condemn this murder in the strongest terms possible and will support our child protection partners, the SAPS, who are investigating the case.

“As the custodians of the Children’s Act of 2005, social workers from our Mitchells Plain local office have intervened to protect the other four children the woman has.”

Ngobese said the other children have been placed in the care of a relative and counselling has been afforded to them.

“We continue to appeal to expectant mothers and fathers, and parents of newborn children, to approach our social workers for assistance and family planning interventions. This service is available to anyone who may be experiencing emotional or physical difficulty in raising their child.”

Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum spokesperson Faizal Brown said it attended the proceedings and condemned the act.

“No act such as the killing of a child can be condoned for whatever reason.

“This case once again confirms the need for an urgent commission of inquiry that we requested from the Premier of the Western Cape.

“We also demand the appointment of a child commissioner which is nine years overdue.”

The alleged murderer will next appear in court for a bail application on September 26.