Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

A mother in northern Zululand dumped her three-day-old baby on the street on Tuesday afternoon after an argument with the baby's father.

The mother, who cannot be named until she appears in court, dumped the baby in Nhlambanyathi reserve in Mkuze where she stays with her grandmother.

Community members walking along the street spotted the baby girl wrapped in a towel.

The baby still had a blue hospital band around her wrist and police were able to establish that she was born at Bethesda Hospital, which provided them with the mother's particulars.

Police spokesman Jabulani Mdletshe said the mother was tracked down and arrested later in the day.

She told the police that, after an argument with the baby's father, she had no choice but to dump the baby on the street.

"The baby is in a healthy condition at Bethesda Hospital and will be released once all the necessary arrangements have been made," Mdletshe said.

The mother has been detained at Mkuze police station and will appear in court soon.