Police make breakthrough in 2001 kidnapping case, victim located, suspect arrested – SAPS Crime Report: 2021-12-06 21:13:09

South African Police Service

Office of the Provincial Commissioner Mpumalanga

NELSPRUIT – Police in Ermelo has finally located, through thorough investigation, the daughter, who was reportedly kidnapped and has since, never been seen by her family for a period of over 20 years.

According to the reports, on 23 March 2001 a woman, aged 16 at the time, gave birth to a baby girl and both were later discharged that day from Ermelo Provincial Hospital. As they were on their way home (to Breyten) in the company of the baby’s aunt, they met a certain woman who is said to have offered to assist by holding the baby as her mom was experiencing some pains and dizziness whilst the aunt had visited a shop nearby.

After a little while, the said woman then reportedly took the baby, promised to return and went towards the direction where the aunt headed to. The aunt returned however, the woman who took the baby never returned. Efforts to locate the woman and the baby were unsuccessful.

The incident was then reported to the police at Ermelo and a case of child abduction was opened. Police commenced with their search but there was no information that came forth until on 29 November 2021, when the team of Investigators got some leads into their investigation. Police conducted some forensic tests where DNA samples were collected and results came back which turned out to be a breakthrough into their case of child abduction. A 50-year-old woman was then arrested and charged accordingly as she is alleged to have been the one behind the said incident that occurred 20 years ago.

The female suspect has since appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on 30 November 2021 and she was granted bail of R1000. Her case was postponed to 18 January 2021. Meanwhile the young lady has been kept in a place of safety whilst she receives some psychological support services and will hopefully be reunited with her biological family soon. The name of the suspect is withheld for the protection of the victim’s identity.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has taken the opportunity of this long awaiting breakthrough and urged parents to never allow a situation to put their trust in the hands of strangers especially when it comes to their children regardless of how genuine people can appear to be.

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