Woman accused of kidnapping Mogamat Imaad to appear in court

Police have confirmed that the 37-year-old woman arrested for the abduction of 9-day-old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar is expected to make her first appearance in the Bellville Magistrate's Court on Thursday. 

This, as Imaad’s paternal grandmother, Nabilah Saghar, thanked the Tafelsig community from the bottom of her heart for their efforts in returning her grandchild.

“We would not have known that he was there if there was not this tip off,” she said.

“No-one understands the process of waiting to hear that your child is safe and then there is that one person who notices that something is wrong.

“I have read so much about the 'gown gang' but to the 'besige' (curious) people of Honolulu Street, I want to say thank you, because of your curiosity, I got my grandson back.

“I just want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, that they were brave enough to report that they saw something that was not right.”

Imaad was abducted while his mother was with another woman at Middestad Mall in Bellville on Saturday. 

A resident subsequently raised the alarm on Monday night and shared her suspicions with Faith and Hope Missing Persons founder Veranique “Benji” Williams, that a neighbour had the infant. 

Police found the baby inside the accused's home, still dressed in the blue vest his mother Imaan Sharmar had dressed him in on the day of the kidnapping.

The suspect cannot be identified, and is also a mother of three.

The State is set to prove that the woman pretended to be a sponsor for an organisation that works with new mothers and had allegedly first approached Imaan in May at her home in Strandfontein while she was pregnant, and then invited her to a workshop in Bellville on Saturday where she kidnapped the infant.

Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, commended the residents from Honolulu Street for finding the baby.

She extended her gratitude for the community's act of heroism when they provided vital information including the efforts of  the police and others.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the community for their bravery and support in coming forward with critical information that assisted police in locating and safely returning the kidnapped baby. Your vigilance and willingness to speak up played a vital role in bringing this deeply distressing situation to a swift end,” she said.

“This case highlights the essential partnership between the citizens and law enforcement. When our community stands united and works hand-in-hand with police, we can achieve incredible outcomes and help protect our most vulnerable.

“I also praise the multi-disciplinary team comprising various specialized units within the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their meticulous work. Their rapid response and coordinated efforts is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together with urgency and purpose."

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