Two premature babies stolen from Dora Nginza Hospital recently were recovered safely, and two female suspects were arrested after an intensive overnight search operation, Eastern Cape health authorities and police confirmed hours later.
The infants, who were abducted from the hospital’s neonatal unit on Monday night, were found “still in healthy condition,” according to Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo.
Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, confirmed the arrests, “Police are confirming that they have found the two infants, who were abducted. Two female suspects were arrested by the FCS on charges of Child stealing.”
The discovery came through an alert police officer leaving the hospital premises. “As one of the SAPS officers was busy exiting the premises of the hospital, he noticed two females with infants and immediately approached them. After further interrogation, the two infants were identified as the two babies who were stolen last night,” Van Rensburg explained.
The two female suspects, aged 25 and 26, appeared in the New Brighton magistrate’s court.
Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Gary van Niekerk, visited the hospital after receiving desperate calls from the two affected mothers. He expressed relief upon learning the babies had been safely recovered.
“The DEM offered words of comfort to the emotional mothers after the traumatic ordeal and commended the swift, united response by all involved,” Van Niekerk said. “Doctors, police, hospital staff and community members worked through the night to bring the newborns back to safety.”
The Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, commended the dedicated SAPS team who worked tirelessly since the kidnapping was reported. “We are grateful that they were found and that they can be reunited with the mothers,” he said.
A police media statement revealed additional details about the abduction. According to reports, the mother of one infant left her baby in the Premature Unit (PREM) of the maternity ward after breastfeeding at approximately 18:55 on Tuesday evening, May 20. When she returned around 20:30 to feed the child again, she discovered he was missing. A second mother later arrived and found her baby also missing from the ward. The first infant was four days old, while the second was two days old at the time.
Dr Zuko R. Nxiweni, CEO of Dora Nginza Hospital, praised the collaborative effort, “This is the quickest we have been able to resolve a dilemma of this nature. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved.”
The dramatic incident began when two women attempted to enter the maternity ward carrying a bag on Monday evening. Despite intervention from security personnel, one of the suspects managed to evade the guards and gain access to the nursery.
“A security guard stationed in the maternity building tried to stop these women when they attempted to access the ward carrying a bag. The ladies were assumed to be breastfeeding. However, one of the ladies managed to evade the security guard and gain access into the nursery carrying the same bag,” Kupelo had explained during the search operation.
Hospital management reviewed CCTV footage, which showed one of the women using an alternative exit route. The footage played a crucial role in the subsequent investigation and recovery effort. Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, strongly condemned the security breach and ordered an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Criminal activities targeting health facilities have been on the rise in the Gqeberha area, and this is a grave concern for the department,” Kupelo noted earlier in the investigation.
The Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is handling the ongoing investigation. The two women who were arrested on charges of kidnapping had their first appearance in court on May 23.
“The suspects Sinovuyo Rabula (26) made a brief appearance in the New Brighton magistrate’s court. The case was remanded to Thursday, May 29, for a formal bail application. The charges against the second accused were withdrawn and she was released from custody,” Van Rensburg concluded.
