Investigation into the death of two children at Oudtshoorn and Plettenberg Bay, respectively, ensured that the mothers of the victims are behind bars in unrelated incidents. Both face murder charges.
The investigation into the death of a 7-year-old boy reveals that on Sunday, 11 August 2024 at about 11:30, Oudtshoorn police were summoned to a scene at Korhaan Avenue, Bridgeton. On arrival, they found the lifeless body of the boy in a bedroom. Paramedics later declared him dead on scene. The police initially opened an inquest docket for further investigation. However, a post-mortem conducted later, indicated that the victim died of strangulation. The docket was subsequently changed to murder.
Further police investigation led to the arrest of the 39-year-old mother of the deceased, on Wednesday, 21 August 2024. She made her first court appearance in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates’ on Friday, 23 August 2024 on a murder charge. The accused was remanded in custody and matter postponed to 27 August 2024 for legal representation.
In unrelated incident, on Monday, 19 August 2024 at about 11:00, Plettenberg Bay police were dispatched to a scene next to the N2 highway opposite Kwanokuthula where the body of an infant, believed to be three days old, was found. On arrival they found the victim (girl) who was declared dead by medical personnel on scene.
Investigation took police to a nearby hospital where a woman gave birth to the girl earlier this month. The woman was tracked down at Kwanokuthula and arrested on a murder charge.
The 23 suspect who is in custody, is expected to make her first court appearance in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ court on Monday, 26 August 2024 on the mentioned charge.
Investigation into both matters continues.
Western Cape police management lauded the investigators for their diligence in ensuring that these suspects are brought to book.