Limpopo police on the hunt for baby snatcher, appeal to public

A massive search operation is underway in Limpopo where police are desperate to track down a six-month-old baby boy and the women believed to have abducted him from the Mokopane Shopping Centre on Thursday.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the child’s 24-year-old mother reported that a woman had befriended her during her shopping round had made off with her child.

The incident occurred after the two had spent hours in each others company and the mother invited the stranger to enjoy a meal with her. The women described as in her twenties, light weight and dark in complexion with plaited long hair held the baby while the mother ate. The mother says that once she completed her meal she continued with her shopping with the stranger still holding the baby.

At around 13:40 on Thursday the mother realized the mysterious women had disappeared and alerted the authorities.

A police statement on the matter read: “The mother then bought food and invited the stranger to join her but she turned her down. The suspect offered to hold the baby instead so that the mother can eat .Later at about 1.40pm, they went to another supermarket, the suspect still carrying the toddler. Without the mother noticing, the suspect disappeared with the infant,” police said.

“The alleged baby snatcher is in her twenties, she is still unknown, light weight and dark in complexion with plaited long hair.

“Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect and reunite the baby with her family, should urgently contact Captain Marcus Mofya at 082 565 8277 or 015 4091400 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime Line SMS 32211 or the nearest police station.”

No further details or descriptions have been provided and the public are urged to be vigilant and to report anything that could be helpful to the SAPS.