A WOMAN has appeared in the Durban Magistrate court on charges of child stealing.
The 30-year-old woman was arrested by Durban Central police in Hillcrest on Monday, after officers tracked her down.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane, the a woman was admitted to a hospital in Durban on Saturday, 13 August where she gave birth to a baby boy at about 10am.
“She was approached by the suspect who offered to assist her as the mother’s family did not want to come and fetch her from hospital. The woman and the suspect left the hospital and proceeded to Durban where the suspect offered the victim food. Later, the suspect allegedly gave the woman money so she could go and buy airtime while she waited at the taxi rank with the baby boy. When the woman returned to where she had left them, she discovered the woman and her baby missing,” Zwane explained.
A case of child stealing was opened at Durban Central police station for investigation. “Through hard work by the police, the suspect was traced to the Kwa Nyuswa area and the child was found alive. The suspect was charged with child stealing and appeared in court. The child was returned to the grateful mother,” added Zwane.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni praised Durban Central police officers for working tirelessly in tracing and arresting the suspect who was allegedly involved in stealing the child. “I am also happy that the child was found alive. The child has been re-united with his mother and is reported to be in a good healthy condition,” she said.
