This horrible scene greeted police upon arrival in the backyard of a house in the Asazani squatter camp in Thembalethu last Wednesday night.
"The neighbours who live a few metres from the pit toilet at first thought it was the sound of puppies crying. It was only later that day when their dog barked incessantly at the pit, that they discovered the baby," a policeman said.
The people living in the house situated on the property were not home during the day or earlier that night.
Captain Malcolm Pojie, the Southern Cape police spokesperson said it is believed that the 4-month-old baby boy was dumped there early on Wednesday morning.
"We received information that a woman with dreadlocks, carrying two children, walked past the toilet at around 08:00 on Wednesday," he said.
"The child she was carrying on her back is believed to be the abandoned baby found in the toilet on top of human faeces."
He said residents saw the same woman minutes later carrying only one child. Pojie said the baby boy was extremely traumatised and shocked and was taken to the George Hospital where he was treated for dehydration and exhaustion.
The baby is still recovering in hospital. After he is discharged he will be handed over to Social Services who will decide where he'll be placed.
The police have opened a case of attempted murder and child neglect.
Over the past weekend hundreds of pamphlets were distributed all over Thembalethu with little success.
The police this week again appealed to anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the baby to urgently contact the investigating officer Warrant Officer Vernon Sparks at the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS-Unit) at 044 803 4621 or 072 228 0988.
* Die polisie ondersoek 'n klag van poging tot moord en kinderverwaarlosing nadat hulle 'n huilende babaseuntjie verlede Woensdagaand in 'n puttoilet in Thembalethu gevind het. Die vier maande oue seuntjie is vermoedelik vroeg die oggend deur sy ma in die toilet in Asazani-plakkerskamp gegooi.
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This photo indicates the size of the opening through which the baby was put into the pit.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LIZETTE DA SILVA, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
