Limpopo Grandmother, 44, Abducts Grandchild and Files False Police Report
In a perplexing turn of events, a grandmother is alleged to have taken her granddaughter in Tshidaulu, Mbilwi village, just outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo.
The 44-year-old woman supposedly stole her 20-day-old grandchild and filed a missing person report. She was arrested by the police on Thursday and is facing charges of child abduction.
According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the police spokesperson, here’s what happened: On Tuesday, the suspect shared a room with her 16-year-old daughter, who is the baby’s mother. However, they slept in separate beds. On Wednesday morning, when the teenager got ready for school, she discovered that her baby was gone.
Limpopo Grandmother Abducts Grandchild and Files Police Report
The grandmother reported the disappearance of the child at the Thohoyandou Police Station on behalf of her underage daughter. The police launched an investigation and contacted the grandmother on her phone. She falsely claimed to be at work in Levubu. However, later investigations revealed that she had been spotted walking around her neighbourhood carrying a paper bag.
With the assistance of the Makhado K9 unit Dog, a search was conducted in the area, and the baby was eventually found abandoned in a house, unharmed. The infant was taken to the Trauma Centre for safekeeping.
Motive Remains a Mystery as Investigation Continues
During police questioning, the grandmother admitted to stealing the baby and falsely reporting a missing person. As a result, she was promptly arrested and charged with perjury and child abduction. The baby was then reunited with her mother. The motive behind this bewildering incident remains unknown as police investigations are ongoing.
The grandmother is expected to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrates Court on Monday, September 18, 2023.