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South Africa Registers 714 Christmas Morning Births in Public Hospitals

Officials flag underage births, prompting mandatory reports to social services and police.

Overview

  • The National Health Department counted births between midnight and noon in public facilities only, with Gauteng leading provinces at 217.
  • More than 30 mothers were teenagers nationwide, with some as young as 15 recorded across multiple provinces.
  • KwaZulu-Natal reported three 15-year-old mothers in Durban hospitals, with concerns raised about adult men impregnating minors.
  • Eastern Cape reported close to 20 teen mothers among 70 births and reaffirmed legal duties to report underage cases to Social Development and SAPS.
  • Limpopo logged 88 births including 13 teenagers, while Gauteng flagged a 16-year-old case for referral to Justice and Social Development; the first baby was delivered at Elim Hospital at midnight.