By Agreement Mabunda
POLOKWANE: A 44-year-old female suspect was arrested on Thursday 14 September 2023 for alleged perjury and child stealing of her 20-day-old grandchild.
The incident took place at Tshidaulu, Mbilwi village under the Thohoyandou Policing precinct in the Vhembe District.
According to a Police report, on Tuesday 12 September 2023, the suspect went to sleep with her 16-year-old daughter and other children who share the same room.
The daughter was sleeping with her 20-day-old baby on another bed whilst the suspect slept on a separate bed. The next day on Wednesday 13 September 2023 at about 05:00, the teenager woke up to prepare herself to go and attend classes at a local School when she discovered that her daughter was missing.
A search for the infant was conducted but she was not found and a missing person case was immediately reported at Thohoyandou Police Station by the grandmother on behalf of her minor daughter.
Police commenced with the investigations and the grandmother of the child was contacted on her cellphone.
She misled the Police by implying that she was at her workplace in Levubu.
Police investigations continued until it was discovered that the grandmother was not at her workplace but was seen walking with a paper bag which she concealed at an unknown house in Tshidaulu, Mbilwi village.
Another search was conducted in the area with the assistance of the Makhado K9 unit Dog and the baby was later found abandoned in the house without any injuries and taken to the Trauma Center for safekeeping. The grandmother was interviewed about the matter and she cooperated with the Police and confirmed that she stole the baby and reported a false case of a missing person.
A 44-year-old woman was immediately placed under arrest for perjury and child stealing of her granddaughter. The baby was reunited with her mum.
The motive of this shocking incident is unknown at this stage but Police investigations are currently ongoing.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the Investigation Team for their vigilance and persistent investigation that led to the uncovering of the truth surrounding the disappearance of the baby
The suspect is expected to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate court on Monday 18 September 2023.
