NEWCASTLE – A baby was kidnapped from his home in Protea Glen, Soweto, Johannesburg, when two unknown men entered the house, armed with guns, on Tuesday, October 25.
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Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications and Liaison Officer, Lizzy Arumugam said the suspects robbed Mrs Mlambo of her personal belongings, where after they took her to a nearby ATM and forced her to withdraw cash from her bank account.
“They came back to the house and tied up the woman. The suspects fled the scene, taking Mrs Mlambo’s 14-month-old baby, Siyabonga with them.”
After a tip-off, that a baby resembling Siyabonga was spotted in the Newcastle area, Captain Nagesh Moothilal, from Newcastle Family, Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) found the baby indeed to be Siyabonga Mlambo, on October 27.
In reaction to information received, Newcastle FCS detectives and the Newcastle K9 Unit rushed to East Borne Farm, outside oSizweni, whereby they found the baby in the possession of an unknown female.
Captain Moothilal was instructed by Protea Glen SAPS Station Commander, Colonel van Wyk to place the child in the care of Newcastle Crisis Centre.
“The woman was arrested and interviewed by police officials, while other police officials waited at her house for the kidnappers to return.”
Police received new information, and it was believed one of the kidnappers was a Sangoma. Officials later received a tip-off of the identification of the two suspects.
“The suspects vehicle was later recovered abandoned in oSizweni, but there were no occupants in the vehicle. Police held observation for about an hour before the suspects emerged from a building, and drove off in the vehicle,” said Mrs Arumugam.
The vehicle was stopped and the two men were arrested.
“Cellphones, clothing and other baby toiletries were recovered in the vehicle.”
Upon their arrest it was established the two men were on route to pick up the baby from the woman’s house.
At that stage, no ransom demands had been made yet, and the involvement of the Sangoma was found to be suspicious. It was also determined that there was a third suspect involved, unknown to police at that stage. Police conducted a search, but could not fin the man, despite their tireless efforts.
“Colonel van Wyk and his team from Protea Glen arrived in Newcastle with Mrs Mlambo, and the two were reunited once again.”
More exhibits were recovered which linked the suspects to the crime scene. It was also determined that Siyabonga’s nanny was somehow linked to the suspected kidnappers.
“The truth was later revealed of how the suspects and the nanny plotted to rob Mrs Mlambo and kidnap Siyabonaga for ransom,” said Mrs Arumugam.
Police received another tip-off pertaining to the whereabouts of the third suspect, at around 12.15am on October 30, which led them to Mndozo Farm, in oSizweni, and the man was arrested. A cellphone and two of the victims bank car were found in his possession.
Captain Moothilal interviewed the suspect, and he confessed to the crime. The suspect also confirmed the involvement of his two co-accused, as well as the involvement of Siyabonga’s nanny.
The suspects were then transferred back to Protea Glen Police Station, to await trial.
“Mrs Mlambo was in shock after being informed that the nanny was involved in the kidnapping. However, she was ecstatic to have her son back, and thanked the police for finding him, and for arresting the suspects.”
Captain Moothilal commended all the police who were involved in the operation.
“Some of the members worked 32 hours non-stop to ensure every lead was followed, and every bit of evidence was recovered,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of screening people before hiring them for any job, especially, when it involved them taking care of your children.
All four suspects appeared in the Protea Glen Magistrate’s Court on October 31 for their first appearance, and the hearing was adjourned to November 10.
