10-Month-Old Saldanha Bay Baby Suffers Broken Legs As Police Launch Investigation
- A 10-month-old baby from Saldanha Bay was admitted to hospital with fractures to both legs under unclear circumstances
- The Western Cape Department of Social Development launched a child protection investigation and MEC Wendy Kaizer-Philander visited the infant
- The baby's older sibling was removed from the family home and placed in temporary safe care while authorities determine what happened
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WESTERN CAPE — A 10-month-old baby from Saldanha Bay is at the centre of a criminal and child protection investigation after being admitted to hospital with fractures in both legs, with authorities yet to establish how the injuries occurred.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development launched a formal child protection inquiry following the infant's hospitalisation over the weekend. Social Development MEC Wendy Kaizer-Philander visited the child in hospital to assess the situation and confirm that protective measures were in place.
Sibling removed from family home
As part of the department's response, the baby's older sibling was taken out of the family home and placed in temporary safe care. The department noted that removing children from potentially unsafe environments is standard procedure when abuse or neglect is suspected.
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A social worker will conduct a safety assessment and speak to family members and other relevant individuals to determine whether the children require care and protection. Where the assessment warrants it, the matter is referred to the Children's Court within 48 hours, which then considers all representations before ruling on temporary care arrangements.
The South African Police Service is running a parallel criminal investigation into how the infant sustained the fractures. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the cause of the injuries, and no information regarding a possible suspect has been released.
Western Cape recorded over 6 700 abuse reports
The case emerges against a backdrop of significant child protection concerns in the province. During the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of Social Development received 6,737 reports relating to various forms of abuse and neglect. Deliberate neglect accounted for the largest proportion of those reports, followed by sexual abuse and physical abuse.
Kaizer-Philander stressed that protecting children is a responsibility shared between government and communities, and warned that anyone found to have harmed or neglected a child would face lawful action.
Both the police investigation and the social work assessment into the Saldanha Bay baby's injuries remain ongoing.
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Source: Briefly News
