Pretty Mphenemene is pleading for her 24-day-old daughter, Koketso’s safe return after she was kidnapped on February 22 at Lakeside Mall at around 5pm.
The 43-year-old mother is still reeling from the pain of not knowing her daughter’s whereabouts.
The baby girl was taken from her mother by a woman who identified herself as Katlego who allegedly works at Colgate.
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On February 12, the mother met Katlego at a local clinic in Benoni when she took her daughter for a three days check-up.
Pretty said when she was at the clinic, the alleged suspect offered to assist her with the baby as she was still experiencing after-birth pains.
“We then started talking about general things like how I gave birth, which church I go to and if I was employed or not,” said Pretty.
“As we were talking, Katlego mentioned some of the people who stay in my neighbourhood and she said she goes to the same church as them. That’s when I felt comfortable because she knew those people.”
The Putfontein resident said Katlego asked her if she was working and if she had other children and what were they doing.
“I then told her about my son, Gift, who passed his matric but was still on the waiting list at a higher institution,” she said.
“She then said at her workplace they offer internships and she will assist Gift to get one.”
Katlego took Pretty’s contact details so could be able to communicate about the internship for Gift.
Pretty told the City Times that when she got home she told Gift about the woman and the internship.
“My son, Gift, went to one of the neighbour’s who were mentioned by Katlego; however, the neighbour said she didn’t know the woman.
Katlego promised to get Gift and his mother employment at Colgate and to also give them some baby items that she had.
On February 20, Katlego visited Pretty at her house.
Pretty said she was surprised when Katlego called and said she was at a nearby shop, looking for her.
“I was shocked because she said she didn’t know Mokgoba very well as she’s from Cloverdene.
“When she got to my house, she wanted to wake Koketso up so she can play with her.”
The mother then met with Katlego at Lakeside Mall on February 21 without her daughter so she can meet the potential employer.
However, Katlego asked her why she didn’t bring Koketso with her.
“As we were waiting for the potential employer named Debra, Katlego said she has received a message from her saying that she can’t make it and they must meet on Saturday.
On February 22, the mother received a call from someone who alleged that she was Debra from Colgate offering her a job and that she must meet her at Lakeside with Katlego.
“I met with Katlego at the mall and we waited for Debra at one of the food outlets.
“As it was getting late and Debra hadn’t arrived, Katlego gave me R100 to go and buy us snacks; I didn’t think that she would take my baby,” she said.
“It only took me seven minutes and when I returned, Katlego was gone with my baby.
“The pain of not having my baby with me is indescribable,” the distraught mother said.
She added that she just wants Katlego to bring back her child and she would do anything to get her back.
“Katlego was friendly, but little did we know we were dealing with a crook.”
The Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS) have launched a manhunt for the alleged suspect and a case of kidnapping was opened.
The police urge anyone who knows Katlego or her whereabouts to contact Dect/Sgt Angie Mfolo on 082 822 6621 or 082 822 7985 or Crime stop on 08600 10111.
