The Manenberg community is reeling following the tragic discovery of a lifeless newborn baby girl, her umbilical cord still attached, on the side of the road earlier this week. The infant was found on Tuesday afternoon, 24 June 2025, leaving residents heartbroken and prompting a police investigation.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, local residents alerted Manenberg police, leading to the grim discovery.
‘Upon arrival at the crime scene near the corners of Orion and Turfhall Road, they found the body of an unidentified baby on a grass patch of the walkway,’ said Swartbooi.
Manenberg SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Jayce Naidoo confirmed the details of the discovery, stating that the baby girl was found with her umbilical cord still attached.
Naidoo confirmed: “On Tuesday 24 June 2025 at 2.35pm, Manenberg SAPS was called to the corner of Orion Road and Turfhall Road where a unidentified body of a newborn baby girl, with umbilical cord still attached, was found on the grass patch of the walkway."
“An inquest has been opened for investigation. No arrests have been made,” Naidoo added.
The discovery has prompted an inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding the baby's death. At this stage, the identity of the child remains unknown, and no arrests have been made.
‘The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation,’ added Swartbooi.
Manenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson Vanessa Adriaanse expressed the community's devastation at the loss of the innocent child's life.
Adriaanse says: “We are devastated and disappointed because there is a lot of assistance and help. I myself cannot understand why another mother would go to that extent even though we do understand that poverty and social issues cause one to make certain decisions."
She highlighted the availability of resources for struggling mothers in the area, emphasizing that there are options available to prevent such tragedies.
“In Manenberg there are a lot of organisations and shelters to assist moms. It also shows that once again due to social issues it results in people making certain decisions, but that does not give a mom an excuse to do such things,” Adriaanse added.
Adriaanse also told the Daily Voice that there are plenty of organisations offering help to struggling mothers.
As news of the incident spread on social media, many expressed outrage and sorrow at the loss of such a young life, adding that there are several organisations in the area that allow struggling mothers to safely and anonymously leave their child inside the facility with no questions asked and no strings attached.
Police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in their investigation.
‘We appeal to anyone with information to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or, alternatively, use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously,’ said Swartbooi.
Anyone with information can also contact Manenberg SAPS directly on 021 699 9400.
The Manenberg community is left grappling with the shock and sadness of this tragic event, prompting reflection on the support systems available for vulnerable mothers and the need to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future. The investigation is ongoing.
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