Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Abandoned baby in fine shape

Following the shocking photograph published on the front page of Thursday’s edition, of the Zululand Observer, offers of aid and adoption have streamed in. Baby Buhle was released from the Lower Umfolozi District War Memorial Hospital on Thursday into the custody of the eSikhawini Department of Social Welfare, and according to the assigned social worker, Nozipho Nzuza, she is perfectly healthy.

Currently being held at the Ngwelezane Place of Safety, Buhle is fortunate enough to have relatives who are willing to care for her. ‘As soon as all the relevant interventions and investigations for suitability have been completed, Buhle will be released into the care of her relatives,’ said Nzuza. Named by social workers, Buhle means something beautiful, and according to Nzuza she really is a very pretty baby.

Mother arrested
Nonhle Biyela, the woman accused of abandoning baby Buhle in a pit latrine, was arrested and appeared before the eSikhawini Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on the charge of child abandonment. Unable to pay the R1 000 bail, Biyela is currently being held in custody awaiting trial.

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