A 30-YEAR-old woman was arrested and charged for child stealing by the Durban Central Police in KwaNyuswa area in Hillcrest on Monday, 15 August.
According to KZN SAPS spokesman, Lt Col Thulani Zwane, the victim (a mother) was recovering in one of the Durban hospitals after giving birth to her baby boy on Saturday, 13 August around 10am, when she was approached by another woman who offered to assist her as the mother’s family did not want to come and fetch her from hospital.
“The mother and the woman left the hospital and proceeded to Durban where the woman offered food to the mother. Later the woman allegedly gave money to the mother to go and buy airtime while she waited with her baby boy at a taxi rank. When the mother returned to the spot, she noticed that both her baby and the woman were missing,” said Zwane.
He said a case of child stealing was opened at Durban Central Police Station. Through hard work by the police, the woman was traced at KwaNyuswa area and the child found alive. The woman appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 16 August. The child was handed over to the mother after she was taken for medical check-ups.
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 and has been re-united with his mother in a good, healthy condition,” she said.
