Zimbabwean Woman Charged with Murder After Throwing 4-Month-Old Baby from Moving Car in Pretoria
In a heartbreaking incident that has left the community in shock, a four-month-old baby died after being thrown from a moving vehicle on the R101 road in Pretoria.
The infant’s mother, a Zimbabwean national, has since been arrested and charged with murder.
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Tragic Incident on R101
According to police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, officers from Pretoria North responded to a report of a possible murder at around 12:30pm. Upon arrival, they found a white bakkie with four individuals beside it.
“The driver told the officers that the three other individuals were passengers he had been helping with transportation. Among them was a woman with a four-month-old baby, whom he had agreed to transport to a clinic,” said Van Dyk.
The driver explained that he had made prior arrangements to pick up another passenger before taking the woman and her child to the clinic, which she had initially agreed to.
Mother Allegedly Feared for Her Life
As the vehicle passed the turn-off to the clinic, the woman reportedly became agitated and asked where they were going. The driver reassured her that they were simply on their way to collect another passenger before heading to the clinic.
However, in a sudden and disturbing act, the woman threw her baby out of the moving vehicle, causing the child to land on the tar road. She then attempted to jump out herself, but another female passenger managed to restrain her.
“The driver immediately stopped the vehicle, and emergency medical services were contacted. Tragically, the baby was declared dead at the scene,” said Van Dyk.
Murder Charge and Court Appearance
The woman was arrested at the scene. During questioning, she claimed she believed she was being kidnapped and had acted out of fear.
She made her first appearance in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where she was formally charged with murder.
Public and Political Reaction
Tshwane mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya condemned the incident, expressing disbelief and sadness.
“News that a Zimbabwean lady threw an infant out of a moving car on the R101 is disturbing. She has been arrested but that level of cruelty is truly terrible,” she said.
Husband Speaks Out: “My Wife Thought She Was Saving Our Child”
In a surprising development, the woman’s husband has come forward in her defense.
Speaking to Sunday Times, he claimed that his wife believed she and the baby were being kidnapped for muti rituals.
“My wife tried to save our child; now the baby is dead, and my wife is in prison,” he said, visibly distraught.