Police have launched a manhunt for a heartless monster who stabbed, suffocated and abandoned a newborn in Nyanga on Christmas Day.
The baby miraculously survived and is recovering in KTC Day Hospital after shocked residents found the infant wrapped in three plastic bags in Second Avenue, near Lansdowne, at around 10am and reported it to Nyanga Police Station.
“Nyanga Family Violence Child Abuse Sexual Offences Unit is investigating an attempted murder case after a two-day-old boy was found at a dumping site with a stab wound to his neck on Christmas.
“The victim was transported to a medical facility for medical treatment,” explains police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg.
Residents heard a baby’s cries but couldn’t see anyone carrying a child and followed the sound of the screams.
Zolile Ntlukani says: “Some children that were playing nearby said it sounded like it was in the bag but we did not think of checking the rubbish.
“Eventually I came close to the plastic bag, to my shock the baby was inside it.
“I was so traumatised, I called everyone and a lady opened the plastic.
“The baby was covered in blood, unclothed.
“It is a terrible scene I wish to unsee, I can’t believe it.
“I am just glad we found him on time and could save his precious life.
“I don’t understand what kind of a person does that.”
Vuyiswa Mbiko, who opened the bags, says: “As we came close, we could see the baby moving.
“I quickly unwrapped the blue bag, but there was more – three plastics with one strangling him.
“He had an open bleeding wound and his body was already soaked in blood.
“It looked like he was abandoned just after birth.
“I have never seen such cruelty, all we could think of was getting him to the hospital we were told he’d be placed into social workers care.
“I worry if he is going to survive, there was a lot of blood.”
Social Development has not responded to queries sent since Tuesday.
Anyone with any information about the incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
nomzamo.yuku@inl.co.za