Police in the Eastern Cape have rescued a mother from an angry crowd accusing her of killing her 11-month-old baby girl and dumping her in the bushes. Police said the child was discovered inside a refuse bag by a man who went to relieve himself in the bushes.

A MURDERER?

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, said the 27-year-old mother from Port St Johns faces a charge of murder and is in hospital under police guard. "It is alleged that on Friday, January 5, the man went into the bushes to relieve himself when he found the baby in a refuse bag. He alerted the members of the community and the mother was traced," Matyolo said, adding that, "The mother was assaulted by the community. She will be charged with murder and will appear in the Port St Johns Magistrates Court soon. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death," Matyolo said.

INHUMANE 

Matyolo explained further information collected from investigations suggested that on December 29, the baby got sick and is alleged to have died at about 5AM on New Year's Day. "It was further alleged that after the baby's death, the mother wrapped the child in a towel, put her in a plastic bag and then threw her into the bushes at Nonyevu location, where she had been living at the time." Matyolo said the mother was still recovering in hospital and a court date has not been set.