'It wasn't me', accused baby snatcher claims mom gave baby to her
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.
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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.
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