The entrance to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, 7 June 2015, in Soweto, Johannesburg. Picture: Alaister Russell
A tip-off led police to a house in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Friday morning where the baby kidnapped from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Thursday afternoon was found.
Police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said the baby was found in good health.
Dlamini added that members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) are still at several crime scenes to gather more information.
“This happened after police had responded on information from a member of the public. More details regarding the suspect(s) will be released once FCS members have concluded investigations at crime scenes,” Dlamini said.
The newborn baby was abducted from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Thursday afternoon.
Gauteng department of health spokesperson Lesemang Matuka said more details would be released in due course.
The baby’s abduction was caught on the hospital CCTV cameras which showed a female suspect roaming in and around the antennal clinic.
The suspect was later spotted exiting the maternity area carrying a baby in a purplish blanket.
“The suspect [who was] wearing a weave could be in her 30s [and she] was wearing blue jeans, [a] white long-sleeve top and flip-flops.
“Later, the suspect was spotted with two other accomplices moving towards the ATMs where they later changed the blanket,” a statement from the department reads.
In the statement on Thursday afternoon, Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku expressed his sadness over the incident.
“I am disappointed with what is appearing to be the lapse in physical security and we will leave no stone unturned in seeking answers to this. The case has already been opened with the Diepkloof police station and the CCTV footage will be handed to them.
“I have also met with the mother and her family and counselling will be offered. I am hopeful that the suspect will be apprehended and the child will be found unharmed,” Masuku said on Thursday.
Video by Carlos Muchave
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