A staff member at Meyersdal SUPERSPAR has been suspended after being captured on a CCTV camera taking an eight-month-old baby from a mother’s shopping cart on August 21.

The man can be seen in the CCTV footage taking the baby while the mother bends down to get something from a fridge.

According to SPAR spokesperson Kerry Becker, SPAR is assisting police in the investigation into attempted snatching at the Meyersdal store.

“With crime rates on the rise across South Africa The SPAR Group remains vigilant and proactive in efforts to catch perpetrators, bring them to book and ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers,” said Becker.

Becker said, “While we are extremely relieved that a reported case of attempted baby snatching at the independently-owned Meyersdal SUPERSPAR was foiled on Monday, we confirm the store’s owner along with store management took the decision to immediately suspend one staff member as a result of the incident and will take further action based on the results of an ongoing investigation.”

SPAR is reaching out to the family to offer any support.

“We can also confirm that the staff member in question was recently arrested by the police. The SPAR Group is also reaching out to the family to offer any support they need, including counselling.”

The store has already provided the CCTV footage to the police and management is fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigation.

At this stage, it is not yet clear how many people may have been involved.

Warrant Officer Gerhard Cornelius from Brackendowns SAPS confirmed that a 43-year-old man was arrested on August 22 for attempted kidnapping.

“SPAR adopts a zero-tolerance approach to crime and will ensure the strongest possible consequences follow attempts to commit crimes in our stores,” added Becker.