LUKAU - A 30-year-old woman handed herself over to the Mutale Police on Saturday evening after confirming that she had dumped her 10-month-old baby in the local Manenu Sewerage Dam.

Police spokesperson in Vhembe Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi confirmed the incident and added that the woman has been charged with murder. The suspect, who stays at the local rural village of Mulodi, north of Thohoyandou, allegedly dumped her baby girl at about 18:00 on Saturday.

Mushavhanamadi stated that “after she handed herself over to the police, a massive search for the tiny body was conducted, but the police could not find her because it was getting darker. The search continued on Sunday morning and the little body was found floating in the sewerage dam.”

The suspect had not appeared in court at the time of going to press and the baby’s body was still kept at the local Mbavhalelo mortuary. The mother’s reasons for committing the awful act are not yet clear, but police investigations continue.

The horrible incident raised eyebrows amongst the local community as everyone condemns the woman’s actions.

The campaigns coodinator of the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP), Mr Thilivhali Lifhadi, said the horrible incident is more painful as it took place just a day after the 16 days of activism against the abuse of women and children.

“People should break the silence and share their problems with either close family members or community leaders. We also advise those with family problems to contact us as we have highly trained nurses, psychologists and social workers. It is important to seek professional assistance rather than resorting to violent actions like ending the lives of poor innocent children,” said Livhadi.