Mom held after child strangled
2003-12-08 19:05
Witbank - A former teacher has been arrested for strangling her 18-month-old baby in full view of shocked neighbours.
Neighbours rushed out when they heard the 48-year-old single mother from Rockville in Mhluzi near Witbank screaming at the child, said Inspector Jackie Nkoana of Mpumalanga's Highveld area on Monday.
"She apparently came out her house, holding the child by one hand, and dropped her on the ground," he said.
"She then grabbed her by the throat and strangled her. The child was seen kicking her legs as she struggled to breathe," said Nkoana.
The child died before anyone could help her.
The usually well-dressed, well-spoken woman apparently continued to shout at the neighbours and it took police an hour to arrest her because she was aggressive when they arrived.
The mother is due to appear in court on a murder charge on Tuesday.