KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has applauded Hlabisa Hospital staff and administration for their function within the arrest of a girl who had allegedly stolen a four-day-old baby in Mtubatuba city centre earlier this week.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, 14 September, a girl in her mid-20s approached the new child baby’s mom, and requested if she might make an pressing name from her mobile phone. However, as a result of the telephone had no airtime the girl despatched the baby’s mom to get it.
BABY SNATCHER ARRESTED IN HLABISA HOSPITAL
According to the KZN Department of Health, the girl then gave the mom some cash, and provided to carry her baby, whereas sending the mom to get airtime. The mom, who’s in her early 20s, duly complied. However, upon the mom’s return, the girl and her baby have been nowhere to be seen. The panic-stricken mom then reported the matter to the police and likewise wrote about her ordeal on Facebook.
KZN Health spokesperson, Agiza Hlongwane mentioned in a while the identical day, the alleged thief went to Hlabisa Hospital in a bid to have a hospital card made for the new child, below the pretence that she was the biological mom. However, when nurses on the Out-Patients Department (OPD) and at maternity questioned her concerning the new child and circumstances surrounding his start, it quickly turned obvious that her story was incongruent. She was then requested to return to the ability “where she had delivered the baby.”
Hlongwane additional mentioned hospital administration subsequently checked with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and have been in a position to confirm {that a} case of a stolen baby had been registered. The subsequent day the alleged thief visited Hlabisa Hospital as soon as once more.
“As staff pretended to assist her, while deliberately delaying the ‘administrative process’ they surreptitiously called the police, who arrived shortly thereafter, along with the baby’s real mother.
“According to the hospital report, there was not a single sign that the woman had recently been pregnant or had given birth.”
Agiza Hlongwane
When the police arrived, the alleged thief was nonetheless carrying the identical garments because the day earlier than, and the baby’s mom’s cellphone was additionally present in her possession. She was then promptly arrested.
The baby was reportedly taken in by the hospital and acquired medical consideration and remains to be in hospital and below statement for a specific minor ailment.
STAFF AND MANAGEMENT PRAISED BY MEC
MEC Simelane has since counseled the hospital’s nurses and docs for their vigilance and sterling contribution in having the baby reunited with his mom, and for having the alleged baby thief dropped at e book.
“We would like to commend the nurses and doctors at Hlabisa Hospital for being proactive and alerting the police upon realising that there was something amiss about this situation. We really thank them for what they’ve done. We all need to be vigilant, so we can curb the scourge of baby thefts in our society,” she mentioned.
Simelane additionally urged moms to not take probabilities with their infants.
“A baby isn’t like a bag or object, and must be with you at all times as the mother. Whether you’re going into the store or to the loo, take your baby with you.
“Do not trust anyone, because there are many people out there who are looking for children. Some steal babies because they don’t have them; others sell them; while others murder them and sell their body parts. So, we are really pleading with mothers to look after their children, so that we can get rid of this scourge.”
Nomagugu Simelane
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