Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) rescued a two-week-old baby on Monday morning after a woman allegedly kidnapped her from Durban.
RUSA found infant located near Westville Pavilion
RUSA discovered baby Owami Lonathando Sindane at approximately 09h15 near the Westville Pavilion Shopping Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
Officers quickly reunited her with her mother, Bongiwe Sindane, who had reported the kidnappingto RUSA at around 22h00 the previous night.
Within eleven hours, RUSA received 34 tip-offs from various locations across South Africa. Including Pietermaritzburg, Limpopo, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The leads enabled the team to focus their search on Chesterville in the early hours of Monday.
RUSA deployed ground units and aerial surveillance to contain the area, where officers spotted a woman acting suspiciously while carrying a newborn.
Officers confronted the suspect and found her in possession of the missing baby.
They arrested a 21-year-old woman in connection with the abduction and took her into custody on the spot.
Due to growing tension among residents—some of whom requested to confront her—RUSA removed the woman from the area for her safety.
The police later detained her at the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit at SAPS Cato Manor, where the baby’s mother positively identified her.
Motivated by fear of rejection after miscarriage
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to kidnapping the infant after suffering a miscarriage on 24 April.
She reportedly met Bongiwe Sindane at a local clinic and devised a plan to abduct the child in order to deceive her boyfriend into believing the baby was his.
Disturbingly, the suspect admitted that she had only given baby Owami water and had not fed her any formula milk since the abduction.
Police investigation continues
SAPS has taken over the case for further investigation. Authorities expect the suspect to appear in court soon on charges of kidnapping and child endangerment.
What actions should authorities take to prevent similar child abduction cases in South Africa?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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