Levhuwani Matumba
11 November 2021
A 38-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 10 November 2021 in Embalenhle after she was found with Goodness Mahlangu’s baby.
Seskhona Media visited the Mahlangu family on Thursday, 11 November 2021 at about 9 am and spoke to the mother of the baby.
According to the baby’s mother, she received a message from an unknown person while she was at Sijongile Ndamase Hall whereby a community meeting was called by a concerned member, Thulani Mtsweni with the aim of going to the police station and find out from the police how far they were with the investigations.
According to the message, Goodness was requested to go to Embalenhle Police Station to confirm if the baby on the picture was hers.
After seeing the picture, Goodness confirmed that it was indeed her baby.
They both joined the police and went to Bethal, whereby the lead brought them back to Embalenhle.
“When she comes out, she was just scratching her eyes in disbelief that she is seeing me.
She first wanted not to disclose where my baby was and after the police interrogation, she admitted that the baby was in the house,” said the baby’s mother.
The room in which the baby was found was said to have been painted in pink and there were newborn clothes of a girl.
The woman was arrested, and Goodness was reunited with her baby.
The baby was found unharmed except for the rash he developed on his body.
The family also spent lots of money trying to get help from the prophets and traditional leaders.
Some of the people who live on the same street with the suspect said she was pregnant.
Those who also claim to know her said she was expecting a baby girl.
Embalenhle Police Spokesperson, Const Busi Mthethwa confirmed that a 38-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 10 November 2021 after the police followed a lead by the informant.
According to the police, a case was opened on Thursday, 28 October 2021 at about 12:30 pm whereby a mother reported that someone has stolen her 5-day old baby.
“The mother alleged that she was at the taxi rank with the suspect that introduced herself as a social worker that is helping young mothers who are not working.
While they were at the taxi rank with her baby the suspect mentioned that she wants fries and ask the mother to go buy fries for her.
The complainant went to buy at the nearest shop and the suspect offered to look after the baby as the mother quickly go to buy fries.
Unfortunately, when the mother returns from the shop, the suspect was nowhere to be found with the baby.
The mother asked around about her whereabouts and it was mentioned that she got into a mini taxi, and the taxi was traced but it was in vain.
On Tuesday, 9 November 2021 an informant arrived at the Police station to give information about the suspect’s whereabouts.
The informant was interviewed, and that information was followed which led the police to Bethal.
As the investigation continued further information led the police back to eMbalenhle where they got a breakthrough.
The police managed to discover the baby that was 5 days by then and arrested a 38 years of age suspect who pretended to be a social worker.
The eMbalenhle Station Commander applauded the sterling work done by D/Cst Khutjo Sekgobela and D/Cst Ayanda Jiyane who acted swiftly on the information received from the informant,” said Const Busi Mthethwa.
