KEY POINTS
- A KwaZulu-Natal mother abandoned her infant to go on a drinking binge.
- Social workers took the child into protective custody and plan legal action.
- KwaZulu-Natal faces rising cases of baby abandonment and neglect.
A KwaZulu-Natal mother is facing possible criminal charges after allegedly abandoning her infant son to go on a drinking binge.
The incident occurred in Mhlasini, where two men found the child left alone and sought help from authorities.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), two men arrived at its headquarters on Monday, pleading for assistance. They reported that the woman had left her baby behind while drinking with friends and never returned.
“The men informed RUSA that they were consuming alcohol with a group of friends on Sunday. The woman arrived with the child and a mutual friend.
They all drank together before the woman left with one of the men,” RUSA said in a statement.
One of the men later returned to his room and discovered the baby left unattended. A pack of diapers was found beside the child, leading him to believe that the mother would return.
However, when she failed to come back, he bought food and cared for the infant overnight.
By Monday morning, the men began searching for the woman but could not find her. Desperate, they turned to RUSA for help.
Social workers step in to protect the child
RUSA immediately contacted the Verulam Child and Family Welfare Society, which dispatched two social workers to collect the baby.
Upon arrival, the social workers took the child into protective custody and confirmed that they intended to file a criminal case for child abandonment.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Social Development Department has raised concerns about the increasing number of baby abandonment cases, saying such incidents occur almost every week.
A department representative emphasized that officials handle every child in need of care according to the Children’s Act No. 38 of 2005. They ensure that legal steps protect the child’s welfare.
“When a baby is abandoned, social workers file a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to locate the parents and any relatives who may be able to care for the child,” the department stated.
According to IOL, authorities are now working to locate the mother of the abandoned child, and legal proceedings could follow if she is found.
Community reacts to rising child abandonment cases
Many South Africans have expressed outrage over the incident, calling for stricter penalties for parents who neglect their children.
Residents of Mhlasini say such cases are becoming increasingly common, with economic hardship and substance abuse often playing a role.
Child welfare advocates are urging the government to implement stronger measures to address child neglect and provide struggling parents with better social support.
“This is not just about one mother; it is about a system that fails vulnerable children,” said a local community member.
As authorities investigate the case, the abandoned child remains in the care of social services, awaiting a decision on his future placement.
The KwaZulu-Natal police have not yet released a statement regarding the incident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
