
A total of 191 babies were born on New Year’s Day in Limpopo, with 24 of them born to teenage mothers. The youngest mother was just 14 years old and gave birth at the Kgapane Hospital outside Modjadjiskloof.
According to the Limpopo health department, seven other teenagers also gave birth at the same hospital on New Year’s Day. Last year, 199 babies were born in Limpopo hospitals, with 28 mothers being teenagers.
The Social Development department and police are investigating whether any of the teenage mothers are victims of rape or statutory rape.
In a separate incident, a 13-year-old girl gave birth on Christmas Day in Seshego, Polokwane. The 28-year-old father of the baby has been charged with statutory rape.
Meanwhile, in the North West province, 89 babies were born on New Year’s Day, with 49 boys and 40 girls. The department congratulated all the mothers and thanked healthcare teams for ensuring safe deliveries.
Tshegofatso Mothibedi, spokesperson for the North West health department, said: “We commend all the work done by health professionals, from EMS personnel to nurses and doctors, who made this possible.”