A police investigation is continuing in Bloemfontein after the severed head of a newborn baby was discovered in the Bloemside area, with authorities still searching for the rest of the infant’s body and trying to identify the child’s mother.

The disturbing discovery was made on Wednesday when a resident reportedly saw a group of dogs carrying the baby’s head through a street. Police were called to the scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery.

Free State police have confirmed that the rest of the newborn’s body has not yet been recovered. Investigators are also working to establish how the baby died and how the remains came to be in the area.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane said the investigation remained active and that there had been no arrests at the time of the latest update.

He said forensic specialists had processed the scene as investigators continued gathering evidence. A T-shirt found at the scene has been preserved for possible DNA testing, while forensic examinations will also be conducted on the baby’s head.

“There is a possibility that the body was devoured by the beasts,” Covane said, explaining why investigators had not yet been able to locate the rest of the remains.

Authorities are also attempting to trace the newborn’s mother or parent. Investigators hope that identifying the parent will help establish what happened to the baby and determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

Community Safety, Roads and Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula has called for experienced detectives to be assigned to the investigation. He said senior police management in Mangaung had been instructed to intensify efforts to locate the mother and recover the remaining remains.

Mbalula described the circumstances surrounding the discovery as deeply distressing and said authorities needed to establish what had happened as quickly as possible.

He also appealed to anyone who may have information about the baby’s mother, the circumstances of the death or the possible location of the remaining body to contact the police.

The investigation has been registered as a case of concealment of birth. Police have not yet established whether the baby died before the remains were abandoned or what caused the infant’s death.

Members of the public who have information that could assist investigators can contact Lieutenant-Colonel Rankhala David Ramasoala on 082 527 7390. Information can also be submitted through the MySAPS application or by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Police have urged anyone who may know of a woman who recently gave birth or who may have information about the newborn to come forward.

Mbalula also encouraged women facing unwanted pregnancies or difficult circumstances to seek assistance from public health facilities, where support and medical services are available.

As forensic examinations continue, investigators are expected to use available evidence, including DNA material, to help identify the infant and establish the events that led to the discovery in Bloemside.