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Workers find 8 aborted babies dumped in sewer

GRISLY FIND: Mhaka Sithole carries two dumped foetuses in her wheelbarrow. Cicra 2008. Pic. Riot Hlatshwayo. © Sowetan
GRISLY FIND: Mhaka Sithole carries two dumped foetuses in her wheelbarrow. Cicra 2008. Pic. Riot Hlatshwayo. © Sowetan

Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

Workers at a sewerage plant have found eight aborted foetuses in two months.

"Obviously they come from Thulamahashe township because this plant services the township, but I want to know from where exactly and who is responsible," employee Mhake Sithole said.

Sithole said she was responsible for cleaning the plant and that it was very difficult for her to understand where the bodies could have come from.

"Is there a place where they conduct illegal abortions or what is actually happening here?" the shocked Sithole asked.

Sowetan recently published a story saying six bodies had been found at the same spot, but many who commented on the local radio station dismissed the figure.

But the shocking picture, left , is evidence enough that the dumping of foetuses is widespread in the area.

Though Sithole refused to confirm the figure, Sowetan has learnt that the workers at the plant had buried the first two babies and called the police only when a third one was found.

"The police have been informed about the situation and they have taken statements from us," Sithole said.

Mpumalanga police spokesman Superintendent Abie Khoabane said: "It is difficult to catch the culprits without the help from the communities. We are asking for information that might assist us in our investigations."

He said it was a pathetic situation.

"Children are innocent souls," Khoabane said. "I think relatives do have stories to tell here, so please don't sweep the information under the carpet."

He said the babies' bodies were taken to a government mortuary.

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