IN JUST over a year, three babies - all boys - have been stolen in Tembisa on the East Rand.
The most recent kidnapping took place on July 1, when three-week-old Thulani Chambal was taken from his mother at a market.
In January, 10-month-old Tshepang Mathaba was stolen from his mother Portia Thaba while she visited a faith healer's house for prayers in Ivory Park.
In May last year, newborn Blessing was stolen from his mother at Phumulani Mall.
In the latest case, new mom Martha Chambal, 23, said she met a woman who called herself Sophie while shopping at Swazi-inn informal market.
Chambal, who was with her sister, said the woman approached them and asked for directions to Themba Khoza informal settlement.
They told her they lived there and she asked to travel with them.
"Sophie" was allegedly visiting her sister in the area.
"When we arrived she said she could not remember where her sister lived. She stayed at my place for a few hours," said Chambal. She said the woman returned two days later and offered to buy clothes for the baby.
"I accepted because I needed clothes. We went to the Pep store in Ivory Park. She carried the baby while I chose the clothes and she gave me R100 to pay.
"Her phone rang while I was in the queue and she went outside to answer it."
Chambal said when she went outside the woman had disappeared with the baby.
"I am still in shock. I do not believe she took my baby. I did not suspect anything because she was right there with me. I thought she had a good heart."
Chambal, who is breastfeeding, said: "I just want her to bring [back] my baby. I wonder what she feeds him. I struggle to eat and sleep."
In Tshepang's case, a teenage girl offered to play with the child outside while Thaba, 36, was busy.
When Thaba was done 30 minutes later, her son and the teen had disappeared.
On February 27, police discovered the baby in Bloemfontein in the home of a 17-year-old girl. The teen has since appeared in court.
Eight months ago Tshepo Bertha Lebaka was given an eight-year sentence, half of which was suspended for five years, for kidnapping one-day-old Blessing.
She told his mother Mercy Mabaso, 18, she had won a voucher for looking after herself during her pregnancy.
Lebaka, Mabaso and Mabaso's sister went to spend the voucher, but Lebaka disappeared with Blessing.
He was found with Lebaka two weeks later.
Police spokesman Constable Tebogo Sesing said they were investigating the Chambal case. Sesing said police did not find useful footage at the store.
"The woman is believed to be from Mozambique. Anyone with information can contact Captain Joe Shelenge on 082778 9378," Sesing said.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Kidnappers target boys
IN JUST over a year, three babies - all boys - have been stolen in Tembisa on the East Rand.
The most recent kidnapping took place on July 1, when three-week-old Thulani Chambal was taken from his mother at a market.
In January, 10-month-old Tshepang Mathaba was stolen from his mother Portia Thaba while she visited a faith healer's house for prayers in Ivory Park.
In May last year, newborn Blessing was stolen from his mother at Phumulani Mall.
In the latest case, new mom Martha Chambal, 23, said she met a woman who called herself Sophie while shopping at Swazi-inn informal market.
Chambal, who was with her sister, said the woman approached them and asked for directions to Themba Khoza informal settlement.
They told her they lived there and she asked to travel with them.
"Sophie" was allegedly visiting her sister in the area.
"When we arrived she said she could not remember where her sister lived. She stayed at my place for a few hours," said Chambal. She said the woman returned two days later and offered to buy clothes for the baby.
"I accepted because I needed clothes. We went to the Pep store in Ivory Park. She carried the baby while I chose the clothes and she gave me R100 to pay.
"Her phone rang while I was in the queue and she went outside to answer it."
Chambal said when she went outside the woman had disappeared with the baby.
"I am still in shock. I do not believe she took my baby. I did not suspect anything because she was right there with me. I thought she had a good heart."
Chambal, who is breastfeeding, said: "I just want her to bring [back] my baby. I wonder what she feeds him. I struggle to eat and sleep."
In Tshepang's case, a teenage girl offered to play with the child outside while Thaba, 36, was busy.
When Thaba was done 30 minutes later, her son and the teen had disappeared.
On February 27, police discovered the baby in Bloemfontein in the home of a 17-year-old girl. The teen has since appeared in court.
Eight months ago Tshepo Bertha Lebaka was given an eight-year sentence, half of which was suspended for five years, for kidnapping one-day-old Blessing.
She told his mother Mercy Mabaso, 18, she had won a voucher for looking after herself during her pregnancy.
Lebaka, Mabaso and Mabaso's sister went to spend the voucher, but Lebaka disappeared with Blessing.
He was found with Lebaka two weeks later.
Police spokesman Constable Tebogo Sesing said they were investigating the Chambal case. Sesing said police did not find useful footage at the store.
"The woman is believed to be from Mozambique. Anyone with information can contact Captain Joe Shelenge on 082778 9378," Sesing said.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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