DURBAN police have just called off the search for baby Siwaphiwe, however, they have urged to community to contact them if they have any leads or information regarding the whereabouts of the one-month-old baby.
LISTEN: Cerron Lennox of Rescue Care confirms that the search has been called off.
Meanwhile, earlier today Durban SAPS released a statement saying they would offer a R250 000 reward for any information leading to the safe return of baby Siwaphiwe.
The statement released by SAPS earlier this morning‚ read: “A reward of up to R250 000 is offered to anyone who may provide with information that will lead to the recovery of the baby and the arrest and conviction of the suspects.”
“More than 100 police officers‚ assisted by community and other roleplayers‚ [were] deployed now to search for the baby.”
In a wonderful example of the Spirit of Ubuntu, Durban residents, medical rescue crews, police and security companies among others have joined the search for the kidnapped baby.
They have been searching the areas where the baby was abducted and where the stolen vehicle was abandoned since last night.
This morning, multiple search crews were deployed on the M7, Bellair Road, Sarnia Road, Stella Road near Albert Luthuli and Cato Manor.
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 in Montclair. Siwaphiwe along with her car seat, pram and baby bag were nowhere to be found.
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