Tonny Myambo
LIMPOPO – Masingita Chabane (46) a traffic officer stationed in Malamulele, and her alleged boyfriend, Steven Sithole (24) are accused of kidnapping a minor and abducting her newborn.
The incident occurred in Saselamani outside Malamulele in October last year.
The accused seeming faked a pregnancy before claiming four months’ maternity leave. She was arrested in October last year.
Chabane told the court that she knew the kidnapped girl, as she accompanied her to the hospital when she went into labour. Chabane denies knowing the girl’s current whereabouts.
“The girl is a relative of mine. I was with her on the date she disappeared on, but I don’t know where she is now,” said Chabane.
She told the court that, should she be allowed bail, she would move to Bokgomo as she has a stand there and her kids needs someone to look after them.
Her co-accused also applied for bail, saying he is the sole breadwinner in his family.
Both pleaded not-guilty.
Magistrate Daniel Maluleke denied bail, saying the case if a high profile. He said Chabane was a flight risk and that, against the background of an angry community, it would be in her best interest to remain in custody.
Several people outside court demanded to be told what happened to the missing girl.
Maluleke postponed the case to 23 March.
