Bloemfontein horror: newborn's body still missing after dogs seen dragging severed head - IOL

A grim search is under way in Bloemfontein after dogs were seen dragging the severed head of a newborn baby through the street, with police yet to locate the rest of the infant's body or identifv the mother.

Free State police have confirmed that the rest of the body of a newborn baby, whose severed head was seen being dragged along a Bloemfontein street by dogs, has still not been found.

The discovery was made in Bloemside on Wednesday after a resident spotted a pack of dogs dragging the infant's head along the street.

At this stage, it is not known how the baby died or how its head came to be in the possession of the dogs.

Community Safety, Roads and Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula has instructed senior police management in Mangaung to deploy detectives to trace the mother and locate the rest of the baby's body.

Authorities have appealed to anyone with information about the mother or the whereabouts of the baby's remains to come forward.

Responding to IOL's inquiries on Friday, Free State police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane confirmed that the rest of the baby's body had not been found.

“The rest of the baby’s body was not found. There is a possibility that the body was devoured by the beasts,” Covane said.

He said the investigation was continuing.

“The scene was processed by Local Criminal Record Center experts and the t-shirt which was found was preserved for collection of DNA. Forensic test(s) will also be done on the head.”

Police are also appealing to the public for information that could help trace the parent of the child.

“Any information can be communicated with Lt Col Rankhala David Ramasoala at 082 527 7390. Alternatively, the information can be submitted on MySAPS App or call the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.”

Covane said investigators were working to establish how the baby died and how the remains came to be in the area.

“The investigation is still underway. No arrest has been made yet,” he said.

Police have since opened a case docket of concealment of birth.

Mbalula previously said police management had been directed to intensify efforts to find the mother, who authorities want to question as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the baby's death.

“I have come across terrible things in my life, but nothing comes close to this. In all my life, never have I heard of dogs dragging a human head on the street. It is important that the mother is quickly found so that we can get to the bottom of this matter,” Mbalula said.

Mbalula said he had instructed police management to assign experienced investigators to the case.

“I have spoken to the police management and directed them to put their best detectives on the case to speedily bring the mother in for questioning,” he said.

Mbalula also urged women dealing with unwanted pregnancies to seek assistance through public health facilities.

“Our public health institutions are available for women to address matters such as unwanted pregnancies, and we encourage them to make use of those facilities. I also want to appeal to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the mother or the rest of the baby’s body, to contact the police,” Mbalula said.