UPDATE: (November 12) Ms Phindile Chata appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court for kidnapping today, November 12.
The case was postponed to November 19, for formal bail application.
NOVEMBER 11: The eMbalenhle Police arrested a 38-year-old-woman was arrested yesterday, November 10, for the alleged kidnapping of a newborn baby.
According to the police report, the suspect introduced herself to the baby’s mother at the local taxi rank on October 28.
“She claimed that she was a social worker who helps young unemployed mothers,” said Brig Selvy Mohlala, spokesman for the police in Mpumalanga.
She (suspect) then sent the baby’s mother to buy her food at a shop nearby and offered to hold the baby.
When the mother returned from the shop, she found that the suspect had disappeared with her baby.
“The mother then reported the matter to police, and an investigation was immediately immediately.”
The police managed to gather information and made a breakthrough yesterday which led them to a house at Ext 5 in eMbalenhle.
They found the stolen baby and the suspect inside the house.
The woman was arrested and will soon appear in court in connection with kidnapping.
The provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieut-Gen Semakaleng Manamela, has warned mothers not to leave their children in the care of strangers.
