Key Points:
- A woman allegedly kidnapped two newborns from Dora Nginza Hospital.
- Police quickly recovered both babies the following day.
- The case sparked security reviews in Eastern Cape hospitals.
GQEBERHA, South Africa — Police arrested a 26-year-old woman and charged her with two counts of kidnapping after she allegedly abducted two newborns from Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
Officials from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) identified the suspect as Sinovuyo Rabula. Authorities said Rabula pretended to have abdominal pain to enter the hospital’s maternity ward. Once inside, she posed as a new mother and took two babies without permission.
As a result, the baby abduction Gqeberha hospital case quickly gained public attention. The incident also raised serious questions about hospital security in South Africa.
Alert Officer Intervenes and Recovers Infants
The day after the abduction, a patrol officer noticed two women acting suspiciously as they left the hospital with infants. He stopped them and asked questions.
After a brief investigation, the officer verified that the babies were the same newborns reported missing the previous night. “Their quick thinking and immediate action were critical in bringing this case to a swift resolution,” said police spokesperson Capt. Sandra Janse van Rensburg.
Police Arrest Second Suspect in Case
In addition to arresting Rabula, the police also took a 25-year-old woman into custody. Investigators believe she assisted in the kidnapping.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali praised the cooperation between law enforcement and medical staff. “The accused misled hospital staff to enter the maternity section,” he said. “Once there, she unlawfully removed two newborns.”
Rabula remains in police custody. She is expected to appear in court again on May 30 for a formal bail hearing. As the baby abduction Gqeberha hospital case unfolds, Eastern Cape health officials plan to review and strengthen hospital access policies.
