Key Points
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A two-week-old baby was rescued safely in Westville.
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The suspect faked a pregnancy after suffering a miscarriage.
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Authorities arrested her after tracing public tips across provinces.
A 21-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a two-week-old baby in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) successfully recovered the child on Sunday near the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Westville after an 11-hour search.
The baby’s mother contacted RUSA, reporting that her newborn had been taken by a female acquaintance she met at a clinic.
Officers launched a swift investigation and distributed information to the public. This led to 34 tip-offs from across several provinces including Limpopo, Gauteng, and the Western Cape.
Authorities tracked suspicious activity to Chesterville, KZN, where RUSA officers noticed a woman acting strangely with an infant.
With aerial support from a helicopter, officers intercepted her. They confirmed the child matched the missing baby’s description.
Suspect faked pregnancy to deceive boyfriend
According to RUSA and the South African Police Service (SAPS), the suspect had suffered a miscarriage on April 24, 2025.
Wanting to maintain her relationship, she allegedly plotted to kidnap a baby and claim it as her own.
Captain Ntathu Ndlovu of SAPS said the woman visited her boyfriend in Chesterville shortly after taking the child.
She convinced him that the baby was theirs. She was arrested when questioned by RUSA officers during the rescue operation.
The suspect had initially gained the mother’s trust by meeting her casually at a clinic. When the mother stepped out to hang laundry, the woman took the opportunity to abduct the child.
Infant safe and undergoing medical checks after rescue
Fortunately, the baby was found unharmed. Medical professionals are currently evaluating the infant’s condition to ensure there are no health concerns following the ordeal.
Captain Ndlovu confirmed the woman is now in custody and will appear before the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Authorities praised the rapid response from both law enforcement and members of the public, whose cooperation was crucial in locating the suspect.
