A MOTHER (50) and her daughter (24) of Folweni were convicted and sentenced for kidnapping and fraud in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 14 October.
The daughter was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping and six years for fraud. The mother received eight years for kidnapping and six years for fraud. Their sentences will run concurrently.
The duo kidnapped a neighbour’s child and used her birth certificate to obtain a social grant.
“On 4 February, 2010, the seven-year-old child was waiting for a train at the Durban railway station as she was on her way home from school. She was approached by the younger woman who told her that her mother had asked her to take her home as she had to go to Johannesburg. The child was held at her home in Folweni,” said provincial police spokesman, Col Jay Naicker.
The child’s surname was changed and the older woman applied for a new birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs so that she could obtain a social grant.
“A missing persons inquiry was opened at Durban Central police station and the Durban Central Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit took over the investigation.
The child’s picture was published in the media and a member of the community recognised her and contacted the police. This led to the opening of a kidnapping and fraud case and the subsequent arrest of the women.”
All the relevant evidence was gathered and presented for a successful prosecution.
KZN police commissioner, Lt Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended Durban Central FCS for their dedication which led to the conviction of the women and the discovery of the truth behind the child’s disappearance. “It is mind boggling that someone will do something like this and believe they will get away with it. We are glad the child has been reunited with her mother and that the perpetrators are behind bars,” she said.
