A resident alerted authorities on Wednesday (9/9) after reportedly seeing dogs carrying a part of the baby’s remains along the street. The rest of the body has not yet been found.

Police have appealed to anyone who may have information that could assist in locating the baby’s mother to come forward. Free State community safety and transport MEC Jabu Mbalula expressed shock over the incident and called for intensified efforts to locate both the mother and the body.

“The incident has left the community in a state of schock,” said Mbalula. He had directed police management in Mangaung to prioritise the investigation and locate the child’s mother.

“I have come across terrible things in my life, but nothing comes close to this. It is important that the mother is quickly found so that we can get to the bottom of this matter.”

He said he had spoken to police management and instructed them to deploy experienced detectives to the case.

“Our people must also learn that such conduct is a criminal offence. Our public health institutions are available for women to address matters such as unwanted pregnancies, and we encourage them to make use of those facilities. I also want to appeal to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the mother or the rest of the baby’s body, to contact the police,” said Mbalula.

A case docket of concealment of birth has been opened as police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death and the discovery of the remains.

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