Stolen baby suspect in the dock
Stolen baby suspect says she should be released on bail due to a heart condition
THE third woman held in connection with a new-born baby stolen at the Empangeni CBD in May, applied for bail in the Mtunzini District Court, arguing that she has a heart condition and needs medical attention.
Zamokuhle Bekezela alias MaDlamini Dlamini (38), was arrested and charged with child stealing, after police swooped on her homestead in Mkhayideni, Richards Bay, where they found the missing baby safe and sound.
She appeared in court on Friday and the case was remanded until Wednesday for finalisation of the bail application.
Dlamini’s alleged co-conspirators, Pretty Shabangu (43) and Hlalisile Mbambo alias ‘maMbhele’ of Ntambanana, were arrested in June, but Dlamini slipped through the unit’s fingers earlier, minutes before police moved in on a hide-out.
The Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit later caught Dlamini in her house with the baby.
Her husband reportedly believed she gave birth to the boy and was unaware that the baby was not his.
Dlamini allegedly posed as a social worker and prospective employer of the 18-year-old mother, who gave birth at the Vulindlela Clinic on 15 May.
On 18 May, the women allegedly lured the mother to Empangeni Home Affairs to ‘assist her with registration of the baby.’
Later, at a fast food outlet, they took the boy, gave her R100 and disappeared with her son.
Shabangu and Mbambo have been released on R1 000 bail each.
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