Mother brought back to newborn in handcuffs

Port Elizabeth - A mother was brought back in handcuffs on Tuesday after she abandoned her premature infant at the Dora Nginza Hospital.

The hospital's CEO Ntombi Qangule said the hospital had faced similar cases almost every month.

She said some new mothers "abscond" from the hospital, leaving their babies behind.

"They come up with compelling reasons to leave and often they return days later," she said.

Qangule said Sisanda Deliwe sneaked out of the hospital on Sunday, hours after giving birth, and police were then alerted by the maternity ward on Monday after noticing she had disappeared.

"The police returned her in handcuffs on Tuesday and she claimed that she had intentions of returning for her baby," said Qangule.

According to Qangule, Deliwe is now reunited with her baby, who is still in an incubator.