The adoptive mother of 21-month-old Tammy Herman, who died in what has been called one of South Africa’s worst child-abuse cases, was granted R10 000 bail on Thursday.
Zaibunisa Herman (34) briefly appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court in connection with the child’s death in January.
Dressed in formal brown pants and a brown chiffon shirt, Herman folded her arms and looked straight ahead as magistrate S Radasi granted her bail. ”The state has not opposed bail and, after considering the facts, bail has been granted at an amount of R10 000,” Radasi said. ”However, I have four bail conditions.”
Herman must appear in court on the court date; she cannot leave Johannesburg without informing the investigating officer; she must hand over her passport to the investigating officer; and she cannot leave the province without obtaining police permission.
Her lawyer, Chris Billings, said he was pleased with the magistrate’s decision. He said Herman deserved bail as she had no previous convictions and cooperated with police during the investigation.
Herman was arrested at her home in Booysens on Wednesday in connection with the death of the baby girl.
Tammy died in January shortly after being admitted to the Garden City Clinic with 12 broken ribs, liver damage and brain damage after she had seemingly been severely assaulted. Her adoptive parents from Booysens took her to hospital after she suffered seizures and vomited excessively.
Johannesburg police spokesperson Constable Sefaku Xaba said it appeared the woman had adopted Tammy as ”security” to save her marriage. The Hermans adopted Tammy when she was four months old.
Herman’s husband, Donovan, who was present in court, refused to comment on the case. ”I’ve got nothing to say,” he said.
An adoption supervisor at the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society, Pam Wilson, said she was pleased that the law was taking its course. ”Finally we might have some answers as to what actually happened to this little girl.”
The welfare society’s assistant director, Carol Bews, said this was a very severe case of child abuse. ”In a case where a child dies as a result of inflicted injuries… that is terrible.”
She said the society, which handled the adoption, has since re-evaluated its whole adoption process. ”We looked at any areas where we could have been more thorough, and with every adoption it remains at the back of our minds.”
She said the Society would follow the case very carefully.
Herman will again appear in court on November 16. — Sapa