The DA has called on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, to provide answers after a three-month-old baby girl was abandoned by her mother allegedly after she could not get help from social workers.
The infant was found in eThekwini with a note from her mother outlining her tragic situation.
The abandonment of yet another baby is telling of a broken system. Of particular concern are the contents of the letter in which the child’s mother apologises for her actions, stating that she tried to get help but none was forthcoming.
This Department has a responsibility to help citizens in time of need and she should have been able to receive assistance.
The abandonment of her child is an act of sheer desperation and the DA expects the MEC to launch a comprehensive probe into this incident. In the event that the woman’s claims are found to be true then there must be severe consequences.
The DA has raised the issue of child abandonment on numerous occasions. Last month we released a statement calling on the Department to;
• Provide increased support to NGOs with baby drop-off safes so that babies are not left in bins or, as in this case, out in the open
• Work closely with other government departments, such as Health, to deal with the rise in child abandonment
• Intensify programmes within clinics and hospitals regarding unwanted pregnancies and deal with red tape surrounding this issue and;
• Increase community campaigns on options available to those women with unwanted pregnancies.
The DA will continue to pressure the Department when it comes to fulfilling its mandate to the people of our province. We remain committed to ensuring that this particular case is fully investigated and accounted for.