Two suspects out of the five, accused of kidnapping Baby Eden, were found guilty in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court for kidnapping and extortion on July 27.
Accused one, Nelisani Gabela (27) and accused five Cleopatra Manjankozi (30), were found guilty and the other three, Admos Moyo (26), Nonkanyiso Maduna (25) and Kholwani Nyathi (29), were not found guilty due to lack of evidence.
All of the accused previously pleaded not guilty.
Eden was reported missing on May 2, 2018. The domestic allegedly left her place of work, Eden’s home in Brackendowns, with the toddler for a stroll and never returned. This is according to police reports.
Manjankozi worked for the Lairds for two years after being recommended by Eden’s grandparents, whom she worked for.
The accused wanted a ransom of R6m in exchange for the baby’s safe return. The Lairds gave the kidnapper R125 000 as a first ransom.
Eden was safely returned to his parents on May 5, 2018, thanks to a police sting operation that resulted in his discovery in Windmill Park near Boksburg that weekend.
The suspects’ first court appearance was on May 7, 2018.
The accused found guilty are expected to appear before the court again on August 15 for sentencing.
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