Gauteng health officials raise alarm over baby abductions
The first of the two abductions occurred on 12 May 2025. Picture: iStock
The Gauteng Department of Health has raised the alarm following the abduction of two infants from public health facilities in the province.
The department stated that both babies were safely recovered and reunited with their parents, thanks to the maximum security and CCTV surveillance, as well as the collaboration between staff and law enforcement authorities.
Abduction
The first of the two abductions occurred on 12 May 2025 at the Alexandra Community Health Centre, where a one-month-old infant went missing from the Paediatric Outpatient Department (POD) after the mother briefly stepped away and left the baby in the care of a stranger.
'The woman and the baby were captured on CCTV cameras exiting the premises. Swift action by security personnel and Saps led to the safe recovery of the baby,' the Gauteng Health Department said.
ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family
Second abduction
The second case occurred on 23 June 2025 at the Winnie Mandela clinic in Kaalfontein, involving a mother who had brought her three-day-old baby for a postnatal check-up.
'Shockingly, the mother left her child on a changing table in the bathroom, where an unknown woman offered to assist. Upon returning, both the woman and the infant were gone,' the department said.,
'The matter was immediately reported to the police, CCTV footage was reviewed,d and a photo of the suspect was circulated. As a result, the baby was found and returned safely to the family, and the suspect is now in police custody'.
Heightened vigilance
The department stated that, despite the maximum security at health facilities and CCTV camera surveillance, the incidents underscore the need for heightened vigilance in the care of children.
'We are seeing a trend where parents place their trust in strangers, often during vulnerable moments within health facilities. While we strive to offer a safe and caring environment, we wish to emphasise the importance of vigilance and personal responsibility when it comes to the safety of children', said Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
'We therefore urge all parents and guardians to never leave their children unattended; do not entrust your baby to a stranger, no matter how friendly or helpful they may seem'.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said it is essential that parents or guardians inform the staff immediately if they need assistance or need to step away from their child.
ALSO READ: Woman linked to Gqeberha newborn kidnappings appears in court
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
Free mobile health screenings rolled out in Nelson Mandela Bay
Six out of 10 natural deaths in SA are caused by preventable diseases — often because they are detected too late. Throughout the week, Eastern Cape residents will have the chance to undergo free, potentially life-saving health checks without leaving their communities. From Monday to Friday, expert medical teams and mobile screening units are visiting Motherwell Community Health Centre (Monday), Chetty Clinic (Tuesday), West End Clinic (Wednesday), Gqeberha Clinic (Thursday) and Zwide Clinic (Friday). The initiative, led by Rio Tinto, PinkDrive and the national department of health, will offer mammograms, pap smears, prostate screenings, blood pressure checks, glucose testing and other services at no cost. According to the National Cancer Registry, 65% of natural deaths in SA are linked to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Many of these could be prevented or treated if diagnosed earlier. 'Far too many South Africans are diagnosed late because they don't have access to screening facilities,' PinkDrive CEO and founder Noelene Kotschan said. 'Our model of mobile health care has proven both innovative and effective in bridging this gap.' Last year, the outreach programme reached 7,695 people in two weeks. Organisers hope to screen more than 12,000 individuals this year, along with providing health education. Rio Tinto's Africa Operations and RBM MD, Werner Duvenhage, said the initiative reflected the company's values. 'Through this collaboration, we can extend our reach and make an impact even in areas where we are not physically present,' he said. Qualified doctors, nurses, radiographers and health educators will staff the mobile clinics, with referrals to public health facilities arranged if necessary. The campaign is funded by the Rio Tinto Social Investment Fund, which supports projects aimed at creating lasting socioeconomic benefits. The Herald
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Gauteng launches 6-week measles-rubella drive amid rising cases
The Gauteng Department of Health aims to vaccinate over four million children aged from six months to under 15 years. The department officially launched its province-wide Mass Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm, Johannesburg, on Tuesday. Pretoria Rekord reports that the campaign will run for six weeks, from August 4 to September 12. While the campaign covers all five districts in Gauteng, Tshwane remains one of the key focus areas due to its high number of confirmed measles cases and identified hotspot zones. The move is a direct response to the ongoing measles outbreak in the province, which has seen a surge in cases since the beginning of the year. Speaking at the launch, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to containing the outbreak. 'The MR vaccine is safe, free and effective in protecting children from severe illness. We urge all parents and guardians to sign consent forms and ensure their children are vaccinated,' she said. Addressing the need for accurate health information, Nkomo-Ralehoko added: 'We also encourage communities to verify health information through official sources, and avoid misinformation circulating on social media.' The significance of the campaign is visible in Tshwane, where the outbreak has continued along a concerning trajectory. According to the Department of Health, 370 laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported throughout the province between January 1 and June 30. Many of these originated from Tshwane, particularly in hotspot areas such as Mamelodi and Winterveldt. In June, Motalatale Modiba, the department's spokesperson, highlighted the urgency of targeted interventions in hotspots. This localised approach is being strengthened under the current campaign. Despite these efforts, the immunisation coverage in Tshwane remains worryingly low, said Modiba. He emphasised the second-dose coverage for measles sits below 75%, well under the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks. Modiba explained that this shortfall has made communities vulnerable not only to recurring infections but also to infections among vaccinated individuals and adults. This is something not typically seen when herd immunity is achieved. The department will closely monitor vaccination uptake across all districts and provide regular updates on progress with the current campaign. The target is to achieve at least 95% coverage across the province, with Tshwane expected to make significant gains due to the focused attention it is receiving. As part of the campaign launch, learners at Steve Biko Primary School were vaccinated on-site, showcasing how quickly the teams are moving to roll out services. Parents and guardians are encouraged by Nkomo-Ralehoko to ensure their children are available for vaccination when school health teams visit. Consent forms must be signed and returned to schools promptly to avoid delays. The department also reminded the public that MR vaccines are available at all public health facilities during the campaign, and are offered free of charge. The campaign is streamlined with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases' (NICD) policies. The NICD urged provinces in June to strengthen measles surveillance and conduct risk assessments for transmission, while implementing public health responses to current outbreaks. The institute also advised that public awareness must be increased in communities to highlight the ongoing outbreak and encourage parents to vaccinate their children. According to the NICD, missed routine measles doses should be caught up to prevent serious complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhoea, encephalitis and even death. Clinicians are advised to report suspected cases, collect blood specimens for lab confirmation, and log all cases through the Notifiable Medical Conditions surveillance system of the NICD. The institute also recommends reinforcing routine immunisation services. It said that districts with high incidence rates, such as Tshwane and Johannesburg, should be prioritised. The institute also encourages efforts focusing on tackling vaccine hesitancy and improving reporting of measles symptoms. Continued environmental monitoring, including wastewater surveillance, remains essential to track transmission trends and adjust response measures effectively. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Herald
5 days ago
- The Herald
Hear better, live fuller: Spec-Savers keeps an eye on your ears
While you're there, explore the extensive range of high-quality hearing aids and accessories on offer. These are designed to suit different lifestyles and hearing requirements. Whether you're looking for sleek, discreet devices or feature-rich solutions for tech enthusiasts, you're sure to find what you want. Spec-Savers Walmer Park's professional audiologists will provide expert advice and hands-on support to ensure you choose the hearing aid that best meets your needs. They're always happy to demonstrate product features and assist you in making an informed decision. 'Hearing aids can be expensive and are often perceived to be out of reach for many South Africans. The good news is that Spec-Savers now offers an affordable solution with its ClarityPro rechargeable hearing aids — buy one and get 50% off the second*,' says Chanté Venter, audiologist at Spec-Savers Walmer Park. When you choose Spec-Savers, you're not just purchasing a product — you're investing in a partnership dedicated to your long-term hearing health. Test your hearing, embrace the sounds of life, and join the conversation today. Spec-Savers Walmer Park Audiology is located in the Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Gqeberha. To book your hearing screening, call 041 476 0316 or visit the Spec-Savers website. This article was sponsored by Spec-Savers Walmer Park. *Offer valid for a limited time only. Ts & Cs apply.
