A WOMAN from Bolata Village in Qwaqwa is accused of concealing the death of her new-born baby by hiding the infant in a shallow grave near a pit toilet.
The suspect, Elizabeth Mofokeng (34), was granted R500 bail by the Tseki Magistrate’s Court during her appearance on Thursday (04/08).
The accused is expected back in court on 19 August to face a charge of concealment.
Sgt. Mmako Mophiring, police spokesperson, said the new-born baby’s body was found buried in a shallow grave near a pit toilet of the suspect’s in-laws.
He said the arrest in connection with the gruesome find followed after inquiries by the mother in-law who reported the gruesome matter to the police.
Mophiring said the suspect’s pregnancy was visible.
The sudden disappearance of her pregnancy aroused the suspicion of the mother in-law, who questioned her about it.
“The woman’s secret was revealed by her mother-in-law after noticing that her daughter-in-law was no longer pregnant,” said Mophiring.
He said the mother in-law further discovered a placenta inside a toilet on Tuesday (02/08) and confronted the suspect, who revealed where she had buried the new-born.
Mophiring said investigation revealed the woman went into labour and gave birth in her in-laws’ house on 30 July.
He said the body of the new-born baby girl, wrapped in a plastic bag, was dug up from the shallow grave, leading to Mofokeng’s arrest.
