THE mother who sold her baby on Gumtree for R5 000 will be sentenced on 4 May, following her conviction of human trafficking in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court.
This is according to a report made to the KZN Human Trafficking Harmful Traditional Practices, Pornography, Prostitution and Brothels Task Team of which the Zululand Observer is a media partner.
The 20 year-old mother, whose identity is being withheld to protect the toddler, pleaded guilty after she negotiated the sale of her son with an undercover policewoman, received the money and handed him over.
The trap was set by the Hawks at a fast food outlet in Pietermaritzburg in October last year.
The woman in her plea explanation, told the court she decided to sell her son after her boyfriend withdrew his financial support of the child, when paternity tests revealed he was not the father.
He also demanded that she repay the R24 000 maintenance he already paid.
The Gumtree community flagged the advert, whereafter it was immediately removed.
The woman then placed a second advert disguised as the sale of a baby car seat, which was again reported and removed.
Gumtree blocked her, tracked her IP address and reported the matter to Childline.
A clinical psychologist testified that she has a low IQ, basic thought patterns and revealed poor problem solving abilities.
She also showed no empathy towards her child.
He was however in good health when he was handed over and is currently in the care of Social Welfare.
The case was presided over by Regional Court Magistrate Rose Mogwera and prosecuted by State Advocate Val Davel.
Prosecution of cases involving human trafficking has been made far easier with the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 which came into operation in August last year.
In terms of the act, severe sentences including life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to R100-million can be imposed.
For more information on human trafficking and available awareness campaigns, visit Freedom Generation SA on Facebook.
