Pretoria – The Gauteng Department of Social Development has rescued a 21-year-old Malawian woman, who gave birth to twins prematurely on a bus to her home country.
A heavily pregnant Mercy Ndlovu was with her fellow countrymen, when a bus they were travelling in experienced a mechanical break down on Tom Jones off ramp in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday.
The woman and the babies were rushed to Oliver Tambo Memorial Hospital where they are receiving medical attention. The twins are expected to be in hospital for a month.
“The department has placed the woman in a shelter while waiting for the infants. They have also brought together various government departments such as Home Affairs, International Relations and Co-operation, Health, including the Malawian Embassy, to facilitate documentation for the babies,” the department said.
Gauteng Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, who dispatched officials as soon as she got information about the plight of the woman, said she was touched by this matter, adding that it happened at a time when the country commemorates Child Protection Week.
“We could not let these infants continue with this bus as they were going to be exposed to health hazards. Besides as South Africa it is Ubuntu to show compassion to your neighbour, Malawi is our neighbour.
“The baby’s mother will remain in care of the department while awaiting her infants. The department will also arrange travelling documents and a plane ticket for her and the babies,” said MEC Mayathula-Khoza.
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