Mom held for decapitating baby

2006-04-09 19:23

Johannesburg - A woman and her friend were arrested after the decapitated body of her six-month old baby girl was found in a suitcase in Ngcobo near Mthatha, Eastern Cape police said on Sunday.

Superintendent Nondumiso Jafta said the two were arrested on Saturday, a day after the mother allegedly told police that two unidentified men had kidnapped her baby.

"A case of kidnapping was registered. A few minutes after registering the case a man came to report that he saw someone dropping a suitcase in Elliot Street," said Jafta.

"He went to check what was in the suitcase and found a baby's body.

"The head, private parts, tongue and liver had been cut-off and wrapped in plastic.

"Skin was removed from the chin and chest."

Jafta said the baby's mother was arrested because she changed her story when police questioned her again after the body was found.

A man, who was with her the night before the body was found, was also arrested.

"Investigations are still continuing. It appears that there were other men involved in the killing," said Jafta.

The two arrested would appear in court soon, she said.

- SAPA