It is alleged that during a heated argument the irate uncle tried to hit the baby’s mother, his niece, but he ended up striking the boy strapped on his mom’s back.
PRETORIA – A 38-year-old man was arrested on Sunday for the murder of a five-month-old boy at Extension 4 in Kgakala Township in Leeudoringstad.
North West provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani said the baby was fatally hit as the irate uncle allegedly tried to assault the baby’s mother with a spade during a heated argument on Saturday.
“According to reports, the 16-year-old mother of the five-month-old infant had an argument on Saturday, November 5, 2022, with her uncle. The uncle then went outside and came back with a spade and tried to assault the niece, but ended up hitting the five-month-old baby boy whom her mother was carrying on her back,” said Funani.
She said the baby was taken to a local clinic and from there transported to Wolmaransstad Hospital and ultimately transferred to Tshepong Hospital, where he died due to head injuries.
“The suspect is expected to appear in the Leeudoringstad Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 9, 2022, for murder,” said Funani.
The provincial police commissioner of the North West, Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena, has “condemned” the incident but applauded the police for their swift reaction that led to the arrest.
