A 7-month-old baby allegedly died after being beaten with a whip and a Bible for two days by her own mother in an exorcism attempt, a South African court has heard.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kgositsile Taolo told the court that the attempted exorcism took place after co-accused Emmanuel Welcome told Evelyn Jacobs her child was possessed by demons, as reported by Punch.
"According to the testimony of a witness who wishes to remain anonymous, on October 12, 2016, the accused (Jacobs) and a friend, Veronica, went to Welcome's shanty on October 12 last year. Jacobs had her seven-month-old baby with her at the time," Detective Taolo said during a bail hearing for Jacobs.
"When they arrived at the shack, Welcome said the child was possessed by evil spirits. The mother concurred and the two accused then beat the child with open hands across her body and head. Welcome also took a Bible and started hitting the child with the Bible on her stomach. Later that night, the child could not sleep as she was in pain," he continued.
The detective said that the beating continued the next day and the unnamed witness tried to stop Welcome and Jacobs from hurting the child. The witness then claims to have tried to take the child away several times, but the attempts were unsuccessful.
At one point, the witness claims the mother used a leather whip on the child, prompting the witness to leave the shanty in tears. Detective Taolo alleged Jacobs then followed the witness and told her not to worry because the infant was "not human but a snake."
During the exorcism, Welcome and Jacobs allegedly poured a salt water mixture onto the child's face, causing the infant to kick, which the mother then interpreted as a sign of evil spirits. The following day the child died after reportedly being placed in a bucket of water mixed with salt and cleaning agents.
"When [the mother] took the baby from the bucket, the child's body was stiff and foam was coming from her mouth. The police and an ambulance were then called," said Detective Taolo.
He told the court that he opposed the granting of bail to Jacobs, even though she had no previous record or pending cases.
Jacobs' bail application was denied by Magistrate Cornelia Voster, while the case was postponed to later this month, pending a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether the matter will be transferred to a higher Court.
