Woman arrested for kidnapping Mogamat Sharmar
The infant was found during a multi-disciplinary police raid at a home in Tafelsig, Cape Town, after disappearing from a Bellville shopping mall on Saturday, prompting a frantic search.
With baby Imaad now back home, attention shifts to the court appearance of the woman accused of kidnapping him.
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IOL News
29-07-2025
- IOL News
'Disappointed in the justice system' - Kidnapped baby Imaad's mother shocked by alleged kidnapper's bail release
Jennifer Hendricks comforts Imaan Sharmar, the mother of baby Imaad Sharmar who was allegedly kidnapped by Tafelsig resident, Sameemah Jacobs. Image: Genevieve sSerra The family of baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar has expressed shock at the release of alleged kidnapper, Sameemah Jacobs, on R4 000 bail. Jacobs was granted the bail on Monday by the Bellville Magistrate's Court, nearly a month after she was arrested for Imaad's kidnapping. Jacobs is facing charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of administrative justice. On Monday, Imaad's mother, Imaan Sharmar, was too emotional to speak with the media and had to be consoled by a relative by the bail decision was handed down. Once she regained her strength on Monday, Sharmar told the Cape Argus that she stood firm on her truth about what happened and was disappointed in the justice system. 'I strongly believe that the man above doesn't sleep and he has his plans ready. "I do feel like the amount of bail granted was quite little as it made me feel like that was my child's worth,' she said. 'I do feel like the justice system needs a major change because it seems as if you can do anything nowadays and get away with it either with bail or the amount of bail. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Alleged baby snatcher, Sameemah Jacobs, is comforted by her friends after being granted bail. Image: Genevieve Serra 'I trust and believe when trial starts that everything will be spoken about. 'I am shocked that she got bail, even though the magistrate was leaning towards it last week. 'I expected it, but hearing it was different and it actually sunk in that she is going to be free, enjoying her time with her family while I struggle to be strong enough to know that I'm safe, and suffering from things I never did. 'I pray that Allah helps me through this and gives me the strength and guidance because this is only the start. "I will stand firm and strong on my truth and know that justice will prevail for my son.' Imaad's paternal grandmother, Nabilah Saghar, told the Cape Argus they were still grappling with the decision made by the court. 'I am disappointed in the justice system,' she said. 'It is not the fact that she got bail but that bail was set so low. 'It's like you can get away with anything in this country.' Magistrate Gconbani Ndaleni granted Jacobs the R4 000 bail with strict conditions, which include that she may not visit Mitchell's Plain or Strandfontein, refrain from making contact with witnesses, and sign in at a designated police station. Jacobs's friends and former work colleagues came out in support of her, describing her as a caring individual who had marital issues and was not a monster. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
25-07-2025
- IOL News
Accused kidnapper Sameemah Jacobs back in the dock
Sameemah Jacobs appears in the Bellville Magitsrate's Court, charged with kidnapping and defeating the administration of justice. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers The woman accused of kidnapping 9 day old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar is expected back in the dock on Thursday for the continuation of her bail application. Cross-examination by Sameemah Jacobs's Legal Aid lawyer, Asongewa Mafuya, is expected to take place in the Bellville Magistrate's Court. Jacobs is charged with kidnapping and defeating the administration of justice and may face additional charges as the investigation continues. A week ago, State prosecutor Salaahuddeen Simon completed his portion of presenting the reasons why Jacobs was not a candidate for bail. Sergeant Dawid Fortuin took the witness stand in which he said Jacobs was a flight risk and that the community's plight had to be considered. Fortuin gave a blow-by-blow account of how baby Imaad was kidnapped. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He said Jacobs had befriended Imaad's mother, Imaan Sharmar, also known as Britney Brandt, in February while she visited the clinic. He said that a day prior to the kidnapping, a woman by the name of "Chevon" contacted Sharmar and said she would receive R500 in cash and a baby parcel when they attended a workshop in Bellville on June 28. Imaad was found two days later at Jacobs's home following a tip-off from the Tafelsig residents. Fortuin had the court hanging on his lips when he detailed how Jacobs was attempting to breastfeed Imaad and that baby was crying. He said Jacobs had hospital documentation which had been tampered with. In another twist, he said a witness, who cannot be identified, gave police a statement that she had visited Jacobs at the Bellville Police Station following her arrest, in which she claimed that Sharmar had given her the baby and that she did not kidnap the infant. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
'It wasn't me', accused baby snatcher claims mom gave baby to her
Sameemah Jacobs, 37, made her second appearance for her bail application in the Bellville Magistrate's Court. Image: Genevieve Serra The woman accused of kidnapping 9-day-old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar claims she did not abduct the infant or poison anyone, saying the baby was given to her by his mother, whom she had showered with money and takkies. The shocking claim was revealed by Sergeant Dawid Fortuin of the Serious and Violent Crimes Kidnapping Unit, who took the witness stand on Thursday in the Bellville Magistrate's Court where Sameemah Jacobs, 37, made her second appearance for her bail application. Fortuin had the court hanging on his every word when said hospital records suggested that Jacobs had an ectopic pregnancy in January 2024 and a miscarriage in May 2025. Fortuin dropped another bombshell when he informed the court that they were busy with a second inquiry of a pregnant 15 year old girl, who claimed she had also been visited by a woman from the "Zoey Project" - an organisation Jacobs is alleged to have claimed to work for when baby Imaad was taken. Imaad was kidnapped on June 28 from his mother, Imaan Sharmar (also known as Britney Brandt) at Middestad mall in Bellville, when Sharmar thought she was attending a workshop for single mothers with the Zoey Project. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ State prosecutor, Salaahuddeen Simon, confirmed that Jacobs was facing charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of administrative justice. He said the State intended on amending the charge sheet with possible additional charges as the investigation was still under way. Fortuin said they had obtained a statement from a witness, who said she fetched Jacobs from the Mitchell's Plain District Hospital on June 28, 2025, with a new baby in her possession. Fortuin said the witness visited Jacobs at Bellville police station following her arrest, to question her about the baby and whether she had infact been pregnant. Imaan Sharmar, the mother of baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar sits in the public gallery at the Bellville Magistrates' Court. Image: Genevieve Serra 'There is also a person who dropped Sameemah off in Honolulu street Tafelsig,' he said. 'This person confirms she fetched Sameemah at the Mitchell's Plain District Hospital on the afternoon of June 28. 'She confirmed that Sameemah slept at her home that night. 'She confirmed that on July 1 she visited her at the Bellville SAPS cells. 'She said she saw Sameemah, who burst into tears and she was shaking. 'She said she asked Sameemah what was going on. ''I could not tell you', Jacobs told the witness. 'She (witness) asked why? 'She (Jacobs) said everything was duurmekaar (confusing) and that her husband made her so confused.' Baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar and his mother, Imaan. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers Next, Fortuin said the witness asked Jacobs if she took the baby, to which she answered that she did not. 'She (Jacobs) said 'no' and that the complainant gave her the baby,' said Fortuin detailing the witness's account. 'She then asked her where her (Jacobs's) baby was.(because she had been pregnant according her). 'She said she lost her baby in March 2025. 'The witness then asked her, 'so you faked your pregnancy the whole time?'. 'The witness asked how she got to Lentegeur Hospital on June 28. 'She said they did eat at Hungry Lion and had cooldrink but that she did not poison the complainant. 'She alleges that the complainant said she is going to give the baby to her 'She (Jacobs) said she gave her (Sharmar) takkies and money. 'That complainant (Sharmar) wanted more stuff but it became too much.' Sharmar, who was present inside court and support by her family, began to cry when she heard this and her family told her to be strong. Fortuin detailed how during her arrest, Jacobs had been in possession of hospital documentation such as birth records, which appeared to have had the date and time scratched out to make it appear that of June 28. He said when Jacobs was detained, they found hospital stickers of herself and that of Britney Brandt inside a bag. Fortuin added that the morning after the arrest, they visited the hospital where they requested to see records, which showed that Jacobs had an ectopic pregnancy in January 2024 and a miscarriage in May 2025. He said he asked staff why records, which had been scanned, showed that Jacobs had given birth 'twice' on June 28 and that it was clear this was not filled in by a nurse. The State then asked how long the team would need for the investigation to be completed, to which Fortuin said a period between six to eight months due to DNA, cellphone records, enhancement of the CCTV footage at the mall and more witness statements needed, among others. He also likened the case to that of the Zephany Nurse case, stating it had similarities but that in this case the infant was found within two days instead of 17 years. Cross-examination in the matter is expected to take place on July 17. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
