Infanticide-the intentional killing of infants under one year old-remains a serious and under-addressed problem in South Africa.
Recent research and official data reveal that South Africa has one of the highest infanticide rates globally, with infants most vulnerable in the first days of life. The issue is deeply intertwined with socio-economic challenges, mental health, and gaps in social services.
According to a landmark national child homicide study by the University of Cape Town’s Children’s Institute, the infanticide rate in South Africa is approximately 28.3 per 100,000 live births, the highest reported globally.
In 2009 alone, 454 children under five years old died due to homicide, with more than half of these victims being neonates or infants within the first 28 days of life. Most strikingly, the majority of these neonaticides occur within the first six days after birth, a critical period when infants are most at risk.
Infanticide is often linked to abandonment, neglect, or direct physical harm. Many neonaticides result from mothers abandoning newborns without care, sometimes with the intention that the child will be found and cared for, but often leading to fatal outcomes. Mothers are predominantly identified as perpetrators in these cases, although the role of fathers and other caregivers remains less clear due to limited data.
Unwanted pregnancies are the leading cause of infanticide in South Africa. Social stigma, poverty, and lack of support for vulnerable mothers exacerbate the problem. Infants with disabilities or those born out of wedlock are also at heightened risk due to cultural biases and family pressures.
Mental health issues, including postpartum depression and psychosis, are believed to contribute to some cases, though systematic mental health assessments of perpetrators are rare. The lack of early detection and intervention in mental health care is a significant gap in preventing infanticide.
Child homicides in South Africa often occur within the home and are linked to broader patterns of family violence and social instability. While infant victims are primarily killed by mothers, as children grow older, the involvement of fathers or mothers’ partners in fatal abuse increases.
Research shows no significant gender bias in child homicides overall, but urban areas report higher rates of male infant deaths compared to rural regions. The complexity of these cases often reflects intersecting issues of domestic violence, poverty, and inadequate social support.
South Africa has legal provisions addressing infanticide under section 239 of the Criminal Procedure Act, but enforcement and prevention remain challenging.
