WATCH: 24-hour mark looms as search for missing Durban baby continues
Rescue services have continued their search for baby Siwaphiwe who was taken in a hijacking yesterday afternoon.
IT has been nearly 24-hours since baby Siwaphiwe Mbambo was abducted in an apparent hijacking at City View Shopping centre in Durban yesterday afternoon.
With the desperation of finding the one-month-old baby growing, a wonderful example of the spirit of ubuntu unfolded as Durban residents, medical rescue crews, police and security companies among others, joined to search for the kidnapped baby.
This morning the search moved to the Cato Manor Sports ground.  Garreth Jamieson, of Rescue Care confirmed that citizens are able to help in the search.
Last night SAPS Search and Rescue and paramedics also combed the site where the hijacked vehicle had been abandoned in Montclair.
The search party also returned to Matthews Meyiwa (Stamfordhill) Road where the hijacking unfolded on Friday.
Baby Siwaphiwe was taken after two suspects allegedly forced the mother, Sibongile Mbambo, and her eight-year-old daughter out of their Toyota Yaris at gunpoint, KZN SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed yesterday.
He said the suspects demanded the vehicle’s keys and fled while the baby was still strapped in her car seat.
A case of hijacking had been opened at Durban Central police station, added Zwane.
The car was later found abandoned on Montclair. Siwaphiwe along with her, car seat and pram but the baby bag was nowhere to be found.
Since news of the abducted hit social media Durbanites have been anxiously waiting for news of baby Siwaphiwe’s safe return.
A group, Prayers for Durban Baby has accumulated nearly 3 000 members.
KIDNAPPING ☆ RESERVOIR HILLS. KZN. WHITE TOYOTA ETIOS. REG ND576-648. DIRECTON N2/UMGENI. ONE MONTH OLD BABY TAKEN. pic.twitter.com/YSrqJfXwzX
— Mike Venter (@sacrificium_meu) March 10, 2017
Yesterday,  Sibongile desperately appealed to the two armed men to return her child. A R20 000 reward has also been offered for the safe return of the baby.
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