eMalahleni – A dog emerged as the hero of the day by rescuing a forsaken infant in Ackerville, Emalahleni.
This extraordinary event unfolded on Thursday, July 25, 2024, leaving the Emalahleni community in awe after discovering a newborn baby girl abandoned in a handbag on Skhosana street near Value Meat Pub and Grill.
The incident, which caused a stir in the area, came shortly after a similar case earlier in the week.
The infant, currently under the care of Witbank Provincial Hospital, was stumbled upon by a dog called Chinika during its routine stroll around the neighborhood.
Chinika dragged the handbag to its residence on Skhosana Street.
Emily Silala, the Chinika’s owner, noticed Chinika’s peculiar behavior and incessant barking, prompting her to investigate the handbag.
To her astonishment, she found the newborn inside, wrapped in a blanket. “I instructed my husband to check on Chinika because her restlessness usually signals trouble. As he approached Chinika, she led him to the backyard where she barked at the bag,”recounted Emily.
Joseph, Emily’s husband, said he used a stick to open the bag and upon looking inside, he said he initially mistook the infant for a lifeless being until her cries resonated. “I thought the baby was lifeless until I heared her cries. It was then that I realized Chinika had come to her rescue,”Joseph shared.
Following this discovery, Emily sought assistance from their neighbors, who advised reporting the incident to the authorities.
Subsequently, Vosman Police Sergeant Gugu Mahlangu arrived at the scene, verifying the occurrence and the baby’s safe retrieval. “It is fortunate that the baby was discovered in time and is now undergoing the necessary medical attention,”affirmed Mahlangu.
Social services have been alerted, and a police inquiry is in progress to track down the individuals accountable for this abandonment.
Authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information to step forward or contact Lieutenant Colonel Lucky Zulu at 0713199249.
Mahlangu emphasized, “We implore the public to provide any details that could aid in identifying the culprits responsible for deserting these innocent infants. The protection and welfare of children in our community are paramount.”
This recent incident has sparked a broader discourse on child welfare and the imperative for enhanced support systems for vulnerable mothers in eMalahleni.
Local entities and officials are advocating for heightened awareness and resources to avert such tragedies and guarantee the well-being of all children.
