2-Month-Old Baby Stabbed To Death In Front Of Mother By Father While Performing A Ritual

A man fatally stabbed his two-month-old baby in front of the infant’s mother while performing a ritual. The incident took place in South Africa on Jan. 28.

According to local reports, the man, identified as 27-year-old Irvin Lotta Mahlangu, was performing a ritual on the baby when his 22-year-old wife started fighting with him. The fight intensified and the man, who was armed with a knife, fatally stabbed the infant in front of his wife. The gender of the child was not known.

Confirming the incident, a police spokesperson said that the “painful and senseless act took place on Tuesday, Jan.28, 2020, at KwaMhlanga.” He added that the man then threatened to kill his wife as well.

“She, however, broke her silence by screaming for help as well as broke windows in an effort to get attention from people and fortunately neighbors notified police, but unfortunately, the child was certified dead on the scene,” the spokesperson said, adding that the accused was taken into custody. He appeared in court last Thursday and faces murder charges. The accused remained in custody as of Wednesday night and was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Meanwhile, condemning the act, the spokesperson added, “It is regrettable to hear of incidences where children, like this little one, are allegedly murdered by their own parents who are supposed to be protecting them. Children are the future and a home is regarded as the first line of defense where children should be nurtured as well as protected.”