Nine children have died due to negligence at a hospital in Limpopo Province, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The Limpopo Health Department said it would bring to court the Maphutha Malatji Hospital in Namakgale township for the deaths of the children.
This came as South Africa this week commemorates the Child Protection Week - an annual campaign that aims to promote the safety, well-being, care and protection of children.
Most of the babies died because they were premature and the hospital allegedly did not have medication for them, according to local reports.
"We have established the facts and we will communicate it to the public today on what action will be taken," provincial spokesperson Macks Lesufi said, adding that a press statement will be sent out later.
The department has dispatched a team to the hospital to investigate the incident, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA).
According to earlier reports, cockroaches infested the ward for premature babies, no sanitizers were available for mothers to use before handling babies, there was a shortage of milk formula, and mothers had to buy their own nappies.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) met with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi over the matter on Monday, SAPA said.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said an urgent and decisive intervention was needed.
Should the allegations be confirmed to be true, he (Motsoaledi) has committed to take firm action against all individuals involved, " Kodwa was quoted as saying