The Mphenemene family is overjoyed after they have been reunited with their one-month-old daughter, Koketso, who was kidnapped at Lakeside Mall in February.
The Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS) found Koketso, who has been missing for three weeks, on March 17, at a home in Emaphupheni, Etwatwa.
On February 22, the baby, who was 17 days old at the time, was kidnapped from her mother by a woman who identified herself as Katlego after she promised the mother, Pretty, and her son, Gift, jobs at Colgate.
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Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said the baby was found with a man who is reportedly Katlego partner.
“Pretty’s handbag and its contents, which were also taken during the kidnapping, were also found in the house,” said Sekele.
“Koketso was positively identified by the biological mother.”
Sekele said the baby was found unharmed, however, the 31-year-old suspect was not at the house.
“According to the partner, Katlego was allegedly pregnant and he believed that the baby was their newborn child.
“The suspect’s partner was taken in for questioning and later released, and the baby was reunited with her mother after a medical examination,” she said.
Pretty said she cannot believe her daughter was found as she had given up hope.
“However, with the police’s dedication I tried to have faith and believe that she will eventually be found,” said the mother with a smile.
The Putfontein resident explained that at one point she wanted to commit suicide because she couldn’t live without her baby.
“The past 23 days have been difficult.
“I couldn’t sleep or eat, wondering if Koketso was still alive.
“I thank God and Det Sgt Angie Mfolo for her dedication to the case and for making sure that my baby was found alive,” said Pretty.
Pretty met ‘Katlego’ on February 12, at a local clinic in Benoni when she took Koketso for a three-day check-up.
At the clinic, the suspect offered to assist Pretty with the baby as she was still experiencing after-birth pain.
On February 22, Pretty received a call from someone, calling herself ‘Debra from Colgate’ who offered her a job and said she must meet her and Katlego at Lakeside Mall.
She met Katlego at the mall and they waited for Debra at one of the food outlets.
Pretty told the City Times that when it got late and Debra had not yet arrived, Katlego gave her R100 to go and buy snacks.
She left the baby with the woman, who then disappeared with the child while Pretty was at the shop.
Benoni SAPS station commander Brig Ntakuseni Lukhwareni applauded Mfolo for her dedication and hard work with the investigation and for not leaving any stone unturned.
The police are still investigating a case of kidnapping and the search for Mathabathe continues.
Anyone with information relating to her whereabouts is urged to contact Det/Sgt Mfolo on 082 822 7985 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
