South African baby savers face legal challenges despite preventing infanticide

These facilities, often built into the walls of registered places of safety, offer a secure and anonymous option for mothers to leave newborns they cannot care for, aiming to prevent infanticide. Baby Savers South Africa BSSA states that two out of three abandoned babies die when left in unsafe locations like velds, rivers, or plastic bags. Organizations like Door of Hope, Rock of Hope, Jeremiah’s Hope, and New BeginningZ operate these savers, having received hundreds of babies since their inception.

For instance, Door of Hope has received 301 babies through its saver since 1999. However, operators consistently cite the Department of Social Development as an antagonist, with claims that the department criminalized savers in 2023 and has been reluctant to refer babies to shelters with these facilities. Challenges also include difficulties in placing children due to full homes and the closure of smaller shelters, as well as nationality disputes when mothers are foreign, even if the baby is born in South Africa.

Despite these hurdles, BSSA members emphasize their shared mission to save babies' lives and advocate for the legal recognition of baby savers as a last resort for desperate mothers.