The Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court denied a 32-year-old woman bail on charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police.
The charges stem from allegations that, on 10 November 2024, the mother sold her two-year-old son to unidentified individuals. On 13 November 2024, she allegedly reported a false case to the police, claiming that her son had been kidnapped by unknown men in a vehicle. During the police investigation, it was uncovered that the kidnapping claim was false. The woman later confessed to fabricating the story. She was subsequently arrested on 19 November 2024 and has been in custody since her arrest. The whereabouts of the child remain unknown, and police efforts to locate him are ongoing.
During the bail application, the accused testified and told the court that she is a first offender and that while in custody she does not receive good medical treatment as she is nine months pregnant. She added that she co-operated with the police and when in custody is unable to maintain her children.
Furthermore, she said she would not evade trial as she wanted to find her missing child. However, state prosecutor Cornelle Grobler opposed the bail application and said that the accused might interfere with investigations, as she has already contacted one of the state witnesses.
Furthermore, she said that the accused is a danger to her children as they might suffer the same fate as the missing child. Moreover, she said that the accused is in a maternity ward where she receives necessary medical attention and will not be the first woman to give birth in prison.
When handing down judgment, magistrate Micheal Tlale, agreed with the state and said he believed that the state had a strong case against the accused. He added that the accused does not dispute that the kidnapping was staged and that she informed one of the witnesses to inform the father of the child that the child is with them so he can pay a ransom of R75 000. Furthermore, he said the accused did not provide any plausible reason why she should be released on bail. The pregnancy and partially being medically attended are not enough to secure her release on bail.
Furthermore, he said the personal circumstances that the accused placed are not exceptional therefore he finds that it is not in the interest of justice to grant the accused bail. The matter was postponed to 7 April, for further investigations, the accused is remanded in custody and she has since given birth.
Issued by Lumka Mahanjana, NPA spokesperson
