The five suspects who were involved in the kidnapping of Eden Laird when he was 13 months old reappeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on May 11.
Cleopatra Manjankozi (domestic worker), Kholwani Nyathi, Amos Moyo, Maduna Nonkanyiso and Nelisini Gabela are facing charges of schedule six kidnapping and blackmail.
Eden was reported missing on May 2, 2018.
It was reported to police the domestic helper had taken the child from his Brackendowns home for a walk and never returned.
Manjankosi worked for the Laird family for two years.
The suspects demanded a R6-million ransom for the baby’s safe return. Police set up a sting operation that led to Eden being found in Windmill Park near Boksburg during that weekend. He was safely home in his parents’ arms on May 5.
The suspects’ first court appearance was on May 7, 2018.
Trial dates set
After almost three years, trial dates for the case have been finalised. The trial is expected to take place over 10 separate days. It will commence on October 15 with further proceedings on October 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 29 and November 2 and 5.
Previous court dates
On April 9, judicare appointed a lawyer representative to accused one, Amos Moyo, and the case was postponed to May 11 for disclosure and trial date to be set down.
During the previous court appearance, it was mentioned Moyo’s lawyer has recused himself. The two Legal Aid lawyers already representing the other four suspects respectively cannot represent him, due to conflict of interest between the accused.
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