Ms Phindile Chata (38) was denied bail in the Evander Magistrate’s Court today, November 24.
Chata was arrested on 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. She (the suspect) then allegedly 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 reported the matter to police, and an investigation was immediately launched.
The police managed to gather information and made a breakthrough that led them to a house at Ext 5 in eMbalenhle.
They found the stolen baby and the suspect inside the house.
The suspect was arrested and appeared in court in connection with kidnapping.
When applying for bail, Ms Chata told the court that she never kidnapped the child but it was an agreement between her and the mother who is still at school.
Chata was described as flight risk who can jeopardise the justice interest in the case.
The case is postponed to Wednesday, December 9.
