Mother admits to poisoning her baby, remains in custody
The Potchefstroom mother, who allegedly admitted to killing her one-year-old baby, has been remanded in custody.
A 30-year-old woman faces a charge of murder after she allegedly admitted to a doctor to poisoning her infant.
The mother tried to justify her actions by claiming she struggled - financially - to take care of the baby.
Provincial police spokersperson, Amanda Funani says poison, known as Galepirimi, was used.
"Upon realising that the baby was motionless, she allegedly called her mother. The grandmother and the baby was rushed to the local hospital, where she was declared dead."
Funani says it was shortly afterwards that the mother allegedly admitted her crime to the doctor, who in turn phoned the police.
Director at Women and Men Against Child Abuse, Vincentia Dlamini argues there is nothing that can justify the mother's alleged action.
Dlamini admits that the delivery of government support including child grants and social development are deficient, but "this can never be an excuse".
"There are measures in place but I think the law needs to take its course, and set a precedent to say that this is an innocent child, you cannot poison the child."