Eastern Cape mother hauls dead child to cops in suitcase
A 32-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the death of her three-year-old daughter after allegedly transporting the child's body in a suitcase to a police station in the Eastern Cape.
According to a police statement, the woman left the child alone at their home in Mzamba in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, 18 May.
She allegedly visited her boyfriend. When she returned the next day, she allegedly found the child unresponsive near the door. MOM DELIVERS TODDLER'S BODY IN SUITCASE TO SAPS
Instead of calling for help, the woman packed the toddler's body into a suitcase. She then took a taxi and travelled about 30 kilometres to the police station in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape.
She reported the death upon arrival, and officers immediately arrested her.
The woman is set to appear in the Mbizana Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 21 May. Authorities have charged her with culpable homicide, child neglect, and defeating the ends of justice.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health has launched an investigation after staff at Duncan Village Clinic in East London allegedly turned away a mother whose five-month-old baby later died.
According to a Facebook post, the mother rushed her baby to the clinic on Sunday, 11 May 2025. Staff allegedly refused to help, telling her that Sundays were only for injury-related emergencies and not for treating babies.
They reportedly told her to come back on Monday or visit another facility. The baby died on Monday morning, 12 May. Health officials are now investigating the incident.
What systemic failures or social conditions might drive a mother to handle her child's death in such a disturbing way, instead of seeking immediate help?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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