Tigane, 23 December 2024 – Police arrested a young couple on Monday after their 14-month-old baby girl was found abandoned in Tigane.
Officers were called to the scene in the early hours, where they discovered the crying child left in front of a yard. Preliminary investigations revealed that the parents, aged 21 and 26, had left the baby at home to visit a nearby tavern.
The mother allegedly sent the father to retrieve the child, but he abandoned her in the street after claiming to have been chased by unknown individuals. The parents later reported their missing child to the police, leading to their immediate arrest.
The baby has been placed in the care of a relative under the supervision of the Department of Social Development.
The couple appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on 24 December and were granted bail of R300 each. The case has been postponed to 5 February 2025.
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Patrick Asaneng strongly criticized the incident, stating, “Children must always be protected by their guardians.” He emphasized that police will continue to prioritize child safety and ensure that those responsible face justice.