Limpopo Mother Arrested for Concealing the Birth of Her Stillborn Child
A 43-year-old woman is expected to appear in the Mahwelereng magistrate’s court on Wednesday after being arrested for allegedly concealing the birth of her stillborn child.
Police arrested the woman on Sunday in Lesodimotlana village in the Tinmyne policing area of Limpopo’s Waterberg district after a neighbour called them.
She was arrested on Sunday, 07 September, 2025, at Lesodimotlana village in the Tinmyne policing area, Waterberg District.
Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said suspicions were raised by a community member.
According to the information, the suspect, a mother of 7, including a 17-month-old baby, was pregnant, and one of the community members discovered that the suspect’s pregnancy was no longer visible and notified the police.
Upon questioning the alleged suspect, it was revealed that she had been pregnant for about five months before giving birth (stillborn) on 22 August, 2025, and she wrapped the foetus with a towel and buried it behind the house. The foetus was found in a shallow grave behind the house.
The woman faces charges under the General Law Amendment Act, which makes it a criminal offence to dispose of the body of a newborn child without a lawful burial order, to conceal its birth.
While concealment of birth was not a recognised offence under common law, it has been a statutory offence in South Africa since 1845. Convictions carry a fine or imprisonment of up to three years.
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Menawhile, Limpopo police have condemned the brutal murder of a newly born baby and the subsequent burning of the body.
The lifeless body was found burned beyond recognition at Mashobohleng village, Moletji.
The police in Seshego under Capricorn District were called to the scene of murder at Moletji, Mashobohleng village on Friday, 05 September 2025 at about 15:45.
On their arrival, they found a small baby estimated to be two weeks old who was found by a community member next to a local school in the bushes burned beyond recognition.
The motive of the incident is unknown at this stage.
“The recent incidents of leaving newly born babies alive or deceased is becoming a serious problem in the Province. If you give birth to a child and you realise that you don’t need to keep him /her, it’s advisable to approach the Department of Social Development for advise on adoption as the option than killing innocent blood”.
Anyone with information that can assist with the investigations should contact the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Calvin Magoro on 084 411 8008, Crime Stop number 08600 10111, nearest police station or MySAPSApp.