Two women, aged 25 and 26, have been arrested in connection with the abduction of two premature infants from Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha.
Two suspects arrested for Dora Nginza Hospital abduction
The babies were taken from the hospital’s neonatal unit on Tuesday night and were found hours later following a swift police response.
According to police, the infants were still in incubators when they were taken. One of the babies had a broken arm, and both required urgent medical care.
Health officials raised the alarm quickly, saying the babies’ lives were at risk due to the cold weather and their medical condition.
An alert officer from the South African Police Service (SAPS) noticed two women leaving the hospital with babies early Wednesday morning. The officer was suspicious and stopped the women for questioning.
“After further questioning and verification, the officer was able to confirm that the babies were indeed the two who had been reported missing the previous night,” said police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg.
She praised the officer’s quick thinking, saying it played a key role in resolving the case.
The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit took over the investigation and arrested the two women. Both suspects are expected to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court later this week on charges of child kidnapping.
“We are grateful that the infants were found and that they can now be reunited with their mothers. The team worked tirelessly from the moment the kidnapping was reported,” Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo said.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health confirmed that hospital staff reviewed CCTV footage showing one of the women carrying a large bag and using an exit door that bypassed security.
A security guard had earlier tried to stop the women from entering the maternity ward, suspecting something was wrong, but one of them managed to gain access.
Sizwe Kupelo, spokesperson for the health department, said the police are now treating the hospital as a crime scene. He confirmed that the infants are safe and are receiving the necessary medical care.
The identities of the suspects and infants have not been released for legal and safety reasons.
The investigation continues.
