By Anita Dangazele
The miraculous survival of a baby boy who was buried alive shortly after he was born has led to an outpouring of support from the community.
The baby was found on Sunday morning in a shallow grave covered by a zinc sheet held down by a rock in a newly-built church building, after congregants heard a faint wailing sound.
Eastern Cape police and the province’s social development department are trying to trace the mother of the child.
Reverend Zandisile Mngcita of the Wesley Methodist Church in the village of Dikeni in Cala, Eastern Cape, visited the infant on Monday.
“The clothes the baby wore were bought by a radiographer,” he said. “On Tuesday, I received calls from Cala residents volunteering to donate to the child, with donations coming from the church as well.”
Provincial health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said members of the public are not allowed to visit the baby at the moment, but donations are welcome.
“For the sake of the child, the Department of Social Development requested that we not let any visitors in to protect the child’s privacy and, as we all know, neonates need minimal interaction with the public for infection control purposes,” Kupelo said.
“We have, however, agreed that donations, clothes, blankets and nappies can be brought to the hospital for the baby.”
He said the baby would be kept in the hospital until the social development department finds suitable adoptive parents.
The department said the boy would be placed in a youth centre while the police attempted to trace the baby’s family.
Reverend Mngcita said he had indicated to the hospital that he would like to adopt the baby as his children are now adults.
“If we cannot find the baby’s family, we will assist anyone or family that is willing to adopt him,” said social development department spokesperson Mphumzi Zuzile.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said the investigation to find the mother is still ongoing.
Pictured above: The miracle baby wearing an outfit donated by Indwe hospital staff.
Image source: Supplied
