THE deputy prime minister’s (DPM’s) office has come to the rescue of a four-month-old baby girl who was stabbed by her mother by arranging for her placement in a place of safety.
This was confirmed by Deputy Director of Social Welfare Simay Neves, who said the baby was currently under the care of a social worker.
The stabbing incident is reported to have occurred last Monday in Lobamba.
Neves said the Social Welfare Department was mandated to handle matters concerning the custody and welfare of children in the country.
She explained that, in cases such as this one, where the mother was receiving psychiatric treatment, the office took responsibility for ensuring that the child was placed in a suitable facility or environment where she could receive the necessary care and protection.
“In this particular case, it also needs to be ensured that the child receives the proper medical attention following the stabbing,” said Neves.
She added that their office was preparing its findings for presentation to the court. These findings would be considered alongside those of a psychiatrist assigned to the case to conduct an assessment and submit a report to the court.
Neves also appealed to families and community members to be vigilant and look out for women, particularly those who had recently given birth. She said the office had observed that some mothers experienced postnatal depression, noting that the mother involved in this case had been under distress.
According to Neves, investigations into the matter were ongoing.
“Moms go through a lot, especially where there is no baby daddy support,” she said.
She also called on fathers to support mothers and their children, emphasising the importance of providing assistance during the challenging period following childbirth.
Neves said the social welfare office was available to provide assistance at all times and urged mothers and members of the public to make use of its services.
| Case Detail | Status / Specifics Reported |
|---|---|
| Subject Affected | Four-month-old infant (female) |
| Incident Location | Lobamba |
| Immediate Intervention | Secured placement in a place of safety; assigned to the direct care of a social worker |
| Medical Measures | Medical treatment for the infant following the stabbing; psychiatric care and assessment for the mother |
| Legal & Court Workflow | Social Welfare Department preparing case findings to present to court alongside assigned psychiatrist’s assessment |
| Lead Authority | Department of Social Welfare (Deputy Prime Minister’s Office) |
Source: Report by Sithembile Hlatshwayo.
| Focus Area | Advisory & Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Family & Community Vigilance | Keep close watch and provide active support to mothers who have recently given birth, paying special attention to signs of distress and postnatal depression. |
| Paternal Responsibility | Fathers are urged to actively support mothers and infants, mitigating the distress and pressure linked to a lack of paternal assistance. |
| Public Assistance Access | Mothers under emotional or psychological strain are encouraged to access the Social Welfare Department’s offices for guidance and support services. |
Source: Eswatini Observer Newsdesk.
