Gauteng has notched up the highest figure in South Africa for abandoned babies, accounting for 268 of the 409 babies abandoned nationally last year, according to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
In reply to a question from New National Party member of Parliament Sarel Gous, she said that 320 babies were found abandoned nationally in 2001. Of these 200 were abandoned in Gauteng followed by KwaZulu Natal with 65. In 2002 69 babies were abandoned in KwaZulu Natal while in the Eastern Cape 47 babies were abandoned in both 2001 and 2002.
The national figures do not include figures for the Free State where no information on abandoned babies is collected. Limpopo notched up the lowest count with just two abandoned babies reported in 2001, rising to four in 2002. – I-Net Bridge