NORTH WEST — Two suspects have been arrested for concealment of birth in Mmakau after law enforcement uncovered a shallow grave containing a fetus. The arrests follow a coordinated police operation in the Bojanala District, prompted by community information regarding the burial and subsequent reburial of the remains.
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General AP Adams welcomed the swift police response and effective coordination that led to the apprehension of the 33-year-old female suspect and the 22-year-old male suspect.
The incident began in the early hours of Wednesday, 11 November 2026, when the female suspect, who was reportedly five months pregnant, fell ill. The following morning, her boyfriend discovered a fetus in a bucket. He allegedly removed the fetus, wrapped it in a blanket, and buried it in a shallow grave at a residential property.
Police received information regarding the initial burial on Thursday, 12 November 2026. Later that night, at approximately 23:00, the male suspect’s family became aware of the incident. In response, the two suspects allegedly exhumed the fetus and transported it to the female suspect’s residence in the Selosesha Section of Mmakau, where it was buried in a second shallow grave.
Acting on the received information, police members conducted initial investigations on Friday, 13 November 2026, at approximately 16:00, to verify the claims and confirm the existence of the shallow grave. Upon verification, the information was handed over to an operational team comprising the Brits Trio Task Team, Mmakau Visible Policing, and Brits Crime Intelligence.
The joint task team launched an operation that resulted in the arrest of both suspects. The apprehended individuals subsequently led police to the Selosesha Section property where the fetus had been reburied.
Following the arrest, the female suspect was transported to Ga-Rankuwa Clinic to receive necessary medical attention.
Both suspects are now facing a charge of concealment of birth. They are scheduled to make their first appearance before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 16 November 2026.
Lieutenant General Adams commended the investigating members for their commitment to following up on the intelligence, which ultimately led to the successful resolution of the case.
