The Soweto actress arrested in connection with allegedly killing her toddler son because he was possessed has been transferred to Sterkfontein hospital for psychiatric observation, police said on Monday.
The woman, who may not be named because she has not yet appeared in court, was admitted to Chris-Hani Baragwanath hospital on Monday after police — who arrested her on Sunday — believed she should not be left in a police cell on her own.
She was due to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court.
According to a police statement, the woman was sharing accommodation in Emdeni Extension with a friend who also has a child. Her housemate told police she woke up early on Sunday morning to prepare food for her own child and the now-dead toddler.
When she went into the room she saw the toddler’s body on the floor, with “brains on the floor and his eyes on an iron”, police spokesperson Captain Mbazima Shiburi said.
He also had scratch marks on his stomach.
A copy of the Bible had been placed over his face and the woman allegedly took out a photo album and pointed to another child, saying that was her real child and that the dead child was possessed.
Her housemate immediately summoned help and the woman was arrested.
Death possibly due to frustration
A University of the North religious studies professor said the toddler’s death, although reportedly because of possession by the devil or bad spirits, was probably not a ritual killing, and more due to frustration.
“It looks more like something that might have been done out of frustration, something done to get out of problems,” Thias Kgatla said.
“I don’t know the facts but if people are driven to a terrible situation, sometimes they do terrible things.”
Psychologist points to delusion
Clinical psychologist Dorianne Weil, known as “Dr D”, said that based on the little information provided, it sounds like a case of delusion, right down to the reported placing of the Bible over the child’s face.
“In usual acts of desperation there is an absolute lack of support, people are at the end of their tether, with no money,” she said. “It could be that people know they are HIV-positive, and are ashamed and think they may have passed it on to their child. They have an overwhelming sense of not being able to ask for support.”
Asked whether hormonal imbalances or undiagnosed post-natal depression could be to blame, Weil said that it will be interesting to know how the woman coped with the child up to his death.
She said some of the pointers for delusional behaviour are paranoia and being out of touch with reality, as well as what psychologists call a “first false belief”.
It is not unusual to hear of a split between good and evil.
“Delusional people can believe something so much that it seems extremely real and unquestioned. People who don’t support their belief then get placed into the ‘evil’ camp.
“Placing the Bible over the baby’s face … is a symbol of God covering up the devil — almost saying ‘I’ve done your bidding’,” Weil added.
TV shows not affected
Meanwhile, according to the Vesko Mrdjen — producer of Muvhango, which the actress appeared in — she played a “non-significant part” and the show will not be affected by her arrest.
Morula Productions, makers of Generations, said she had also been a “featured extra two or three years ago”.
Police said that detectives have not yet spoken to the baby’s father. — Sapa
Child’s ‘brains on the floor’