‘Legalise baby savers’: Death of newborn thrown from car, sparks outrage

On Wednesday 23 February at around 09:00, someone walking in Cape Town CBD came across the lifeless body of a newborn baby who was allegedly thrown from a car and reported it to officials. The discovery has led to widespread outrage as saddened members of the community call on the government to take action against babies being abandoned.

Many are asking for more “baby savers” to be made available so that women can safely drop their babies off at places where they will receive the care they need.

ALSO READ: Newborn baby killed when allegedly THROWN from car in Cape Town

Calls for baby savers to be legalised after another newborn gets dumped

Cape Town communities have been left outraged after a passer-by came across a newborn baby in the city’s CBD on Wednesday morning.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the news in a statement and added that they were investigating the matter:

“A concealment of birth case was registered for investigation,” read part of the statement.

Meanwhile, many people flocked to social media where they slammed the women who dumped the little one in various posts that showed their frustration over the matter.

ALSO READ: Man sentenced for burning six-week-old baby with dry ice

According to a Cape Town ETC report, one heartbroken Facebooker wrote: “Why not give the baby up for adoption… so many women out there who can’t have their own kids, that wish for that miracle.”

The news of the little body reached the ears of Lucinda Evans, executive director of Philisa Abafazi Bethu (Heal our Women), who has since questioned what the Children’s Commissioner, Christina Nomdo, is doing about getting baby savers legalised here in SA.

A safe alternative

Baby savers are safety boxes that a mother can put her child into after she gives birth. An alarm is sounded once the baby is inside the box, alerting organisations that a baby needs saving.

“A baby saver does not encourage abandonment, but rather offers a safe alternative to abandonment and should only be used as a last resort,” Baby Savers SA explains.

Bayakhanya Foundation NPC, a community organisation in Cape Town, set up a petition to have baby savers legalised because they believe it will decrease unsafe dumping and offer mothers with unwanted babies the opportunity to anonymously give the baby up.

“This Little Person’s death is a horrific reminder – we need to do far more to protect children’s lives in South Africa, starting with laws that prioritise children and provide them with options that add to life,” they wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

A petition was also set up by Baby Savers SA.