Abducted infant found and suspect arrested

A 20-year old woman was arrested in connection with allegedly abducting the baby of a 15-year old mother in Elukwatini, near Badplaas.

According to police, Nothando Innocentia Malinga (20) allegedly abducted Pertunia Malaza’s (15) one-month-old infant at the local clinic last Tuesday (July 29).

Const Peace Mbokane, Elukwatini police spokesman, said at the time of the infant’s abduction, the younger mother had taken her baby to the local clinic for health monitoring.

“She (Malaza) was seated at the clinic her infant waiting for her turn to proceed to the consultation rooms when Malinga, who was also on the queue, asked her is she could hold her infant. She gladly allowed the admirer to do so,” said Mbokane.

Malinga played around with the baby, going in and out of the clinic, when she suddenly disappeared into thin air with the infant.

“The mother became worried after a while and searched everywhere on the premises for her baby. The security guards at the gate eventually came to her rescue when they informed her they had earlier seen a woman leaving the clinic with a child of that description,” added Mbokane.

Malaza opened a case of abduction with the police. Mbokane said the police investigated the matter and were directed to a house where Malinga had last been seen. The occupants confirmed that Malinga was their relative who hailed from Witbank. The police then forwarded information on the matter to various police stations and the Carolina SAPS saved the day when they arrested the suspect,” said Mbokane.

A case of unlawful removal of a child was opened. Malinga made her first court appearance in the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

She appeared again yesterday (Tuesday, August 5) and at the time of going to print the verdict was still unknown.