CRIME SCENE: Hanover Park, Cape Town: A young woman and man are expected to appear in court on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 following the discovery of a newborn baby on an open field.

Just after 16:30 on Sunday, 19 July 2026 news spread quickly throughout the Hanover Park community that a baby had been buried in a shallow grave on an open field in Downberg Road.

Once the authorities were notified, a search was launched and about 23:00 on Sunday evening, the baby’s body was found wrapped in plastic.

A media liaison officer for the Western Cape police, Thembakazi Mpendukana, said police opened a case of concealment of birth. Mpendukana confirmed that a 23-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were taken into custody and are expected to make their first appearance at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.