Belfast – The small town of Belfast in Mpumalanga, also known as eMakhazeni, renowned for its excellent trout fishing conditions – on Thursday welcomed a new resident in somewhat tragic circumstances.
A nameless baby girl was saved by guards walking along railway tracks when they heard a desperate cry.
The guards found the baby inside a maize meal bag that had been placed dangerously on a railway track in Dalmanuta, near Belfast, Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga police Spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the baby dumping incident was “disturbing”.
Recounting how the baby girl was saved, Brigadier Mohlala, said: “The security personnel’s attention was drawn by the infant’s cry. On investigation, the baby was found inside the maize meal bag.”
Brigadier Mohlala added: “Police and paramedics were summoned to the scene, where the child was stabilised and referred to the medical facility for further attention.”
Brigadier Mohlala said the police were now looking for the mother of the child.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the bay’s mother should call Detective Constable Tinyiko Khoza on 082 469 1918 or 08600 10111.
Baby Savers South Africa, a national coalition of organisations working to put an end to unsafe infant abandonment, says about 10 000 babies are dumped every year in SA.
