WATCH: Family rejoices as kidnapped infant Mogamat Imaad Sharmar is safely returned

It was a double celebration for the family of now 12 day old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar who was kidnapped and found safe on Monday night, when his father got to hold him for the first time since he was born.

The infant was brought to Strandfontein police station on Monday night after he was found at the residence of the alleged kidnapper in Honolulu Street in Tafelsig, following his abduction from his mother, Imaan Sharmar, at Middestad Mall in Bellville on Saturday, June 28.

The 37-year-old suspect cannot be identified until she is formally charged and makes her appearance in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Just hours after pleading publicly for her infant’s safe return, Imaad, also known as Britney Brandt, 25, from Strandfontein, was able to hold her son again.

It was an emotional moment when his father, Mogamat Imtiyaaz Sharmar, was also able to hold his son for the first time. The couple asked for information not to be disclosed as to why he was not able to hold his son, citing personal reasons.

Baby Sharmar was born on June 19,  at Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital and weighed 2.1kg. 

Following his rescue on Monday, he was taken to Karl Bremer Hospital for a medical assessment where it was determined that he was in good health and a DNA test was also performed.

“I cannot explain how I feel, I am overjoyed, I am finally at ease,” said Imaan.

“We received the news just after 9pm last night (Monday) when Detective (Wesley) Lombard contacted us and told us to meet me at the local police station.

“I had to give the police the three recognising marks on his body, to identify him which was the hair which grows like a tail at the back, his foreskin as well as the blue vest which he currently has on, which I put on for him on Saturday.

“I let the father hold him for the first time.

“He had on new clothing which she probably got him.

“My cellphone and bag are still missing.

“We were taken to Karl Bremer Hospital to do the examination and we did a DNA test for confirmation and the results are expected soon.

“I have not seen the lady yet (suspect).

“We want to thank everyone, the family, Detective Lombard, Shakes, the media and the neighbourhood and everyone who was here from day one.

"I was trying not to read people’s comments on social media asking 'what she was doing with a  one week old baby' at the mall.

“I wasn't able to register him at Home Affairs due to the weather conditions and I am going to do so tomorrow (Wednesday) but will have a safety escort as we still do not feel safe.”

She added that she prayed hard for the kidnappers plans to be foiled if they intended on leaving Cape Town with her son.

Deborah Brandt, Imaan’s mother, said she was grateful for the public's assistance.

Imaan added that one day, Imaad would know the truth behind what happened to him.

“When he is all grown up and has the mind and is mature enough to understand, for me to tell him that he was missing and a survivor,” she said.

“The meaning of his name is Pillar of Strength.”

Earlier, Imaan told of how the woman had befriended her at her home in May while she was pregnant, allegedly under the pretence that she was selected to be part of a postnatal programme for women.

She explained that on the second meeting, on the day of the kidnapping, she was told they were attending a workshop in Bellville and had traveled via Uber with the woman from her home in Strandfontein to Middestad Mall.

After sharing a meal at Hungry Lion, Imaad said she began to feel sick and was forced to leave the baby with the woman while she used the toilet and had began vomiting, when she returned the woman vanished with the infant.

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