The Namibian Police arrested a 22-year-old woman at Rundu on Tuesday after she allegedly gave birth in her room and dumped the newborn baby in a pit latrine.

The Namibian Police Force’s (NamPol) acting regional commander for the Kavango East Region, Deputy Commissioner Eino Nambahu confirmed the incident, saying a case of child abandonment was opened against the suspect at the Rundu Police Station.

Nambahu said the baby was discovered by a member of the community.

The baby girl is alive, and has been admitted to the Rundu State Hospital for medical attention. Her condition is reported to be stable.

The suspect, whose identity is known but cannot be revealed before appearing in court, is a resident of the Sikanduko informal settlement. She is expected to appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the suspect was taken to hospital for an examination, where she allegedly admitted that it was her baby.

In an unrelated incident, a 26-year-old man died in the Rundu State Hospital on Wednesday after he was attacked by a hippo.

The incident occurred at Shitemo village in the Kavango East Region around 09h00 on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Likuwa Kudumo.

It is alleged that Kudumo and his sister were on their way to collect fire wood when the hippo attacked the canoe they were in.

The hippo allegedly bit him on the chest and forced him on to the riverbank, when he managed to escape.

The sister and her baby were rescued by a passerby.

Kudumo’s next of kin have been informed and police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency