Storm water drain baby case to go before court without mom

The case of a Durban woman accused of dumping her baby down a storm water drain will go before court on Wednesday without her.

Emergency workers worked furiously for hours to rescue a new-born baby after a resident heard cries from a stormwater drain. Her mom was sentenced on Friday.
Emergency workers worked furiously for hours to rescue a new-born baby after a resident heard cries from a stormwater drain. Her mom was sentenced on Friday. (Jackie Clausen)

The case of a Durban woman accused of dumping her baby down a storm water drain will go before court on Wednesday without her.

Police spokesperson Col. Thembeka Mbele said the case would proceed without the 27-year-old appearing in the dock: "It will be done in absentia as she is in hospital."

The woman, who is facing a charge of attempted murder, was arrested on Monday.

Baby Sibanisethu was plucked from a storm water drain in Newlands East in a dramatic four-hour rescue last week. She is currently recovering in a Durban hospital.