Three women who confessed to the killing of a baby and burying the body in a yard abandoned their bail applications in court on Wednesday.
They appeared in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria, which postponed the case to August 28.
The women are 34-year-old Cecilia Mokgabane Seale, Rosinah Show, an aunt, and Thandi Martha Matubane, the midwife.
Seale and Show were arrested last week Monday after allegedly drowning a new-born baby girl in a bucket and burying her in the yard.
Upon questioning, the mother confessed that last year she drowned another baby and buried it in the yard.
That baby’s remains were exhumed last week.
Matubane was also arrested after it was found that she may have been an accomplice. She is also a midwife and helped deliver the two babies.
Police are investigating whether the midwife might have helped other women give birth and afterwards dispose of their babies.
A handful of protesters gathered outside the court where the three women, charged with the murder of two babies and concealment, appeared.
The courtroom was also packed with people jostling for positions. The three women appeared calm in the dock.
After proceedings, as they were being led to the holding cells, people in the court shouted and pointed at them.
Outside court, a small but vocal group called for a life sentence for the three women.
The group said if the women were let out on bail, they would not be safe.
Mapule Manyaka (36) said Seale should have given birth and run away instead of killing her two children.
”We would understand that she is a fly-by-night,” she said.
The group held placards which read ”Condoms are free. Abortion is legal. No bail for baby killer” and ”Thou shalt not kill, Exodus 20:13”.
Cecelia’s brother, Sello Seale, said he was glad the women were in custody.
”It’s for their own safety. The people here are very angry and they might hurt them if they were let out,” he said.
He said he was surprised and shocked that his sister would do such a thing [killing the babies].
He described her as quiet person who kept to herself. — Sapa