People of Durban hailed for showing spirit of ubuntu in search for baby

THE commitment and dedication shown by the police in a joint search and rescue operation to find the monthold baby, reported abducted by the mother who claimed she was hijacked, has restored confidence in the service. That was the view of Durban metro police’s senior superintendent Morgan Subramoney who was part of the team who called the mother’s bluff as she tried to make a getaway with her lover and the baby after midnight last Saturday.

Had it not been for the community’s participation and alert law enforcement authorities stationed at Mariannhill Toll Plaza, the truth of what really happened might have remained a mystery.

The dedicated joint operation consisted of metro police, the SAPS, paramedics, guard and rescue services, community policing forum and volunteers. In the early hours last Sunday the baby was found when police pulled over a car with three suspects, including the mother of the baby, at a roadblock.

Subramoney, 58, a metro police officer for 36 years, said it was not an easy task but the commitment of all role players who devoted their time yielded results. He said they worked 33 hours from the Friday to midnight on Sunday.

“We were tipped off about a suspicious car and blocked the N3 freeway at the Mariannhill Plaza while monitoring other exit points.” He attributed the success to the community.

“It showed if police work hand-in-hand with the community a lot can be achieved in fighting against crime. The power of social media also played a huge role, everyone came in to help,” he said.

Subramoney said: “There is an incredible responsibility that comes with being a police officer. You have a duty to act at all times, whether on or off duty, it is a reward in itself… it means what we do make... a difference.”

Subramoney urged fellow officers and future ones to do their jobs with passion. “It’s dangerous and hard work but being a cop truly can feel like one of the best jobs out there,” he said.

ethekwini deputy mayor Fawzia Peer, who is also chairperson of the ethekwini security and disaster management unit, honoured the officers involved in the three-day search for the baby. “Even though it was a sad incident, there is a lot that came out of it; the media, volunteers and police all came together for one purpose.

“People of Durban showed the spirit of ubuntu; our city still has caring people,” said Peer.

The baby’s family has cut all communication with the media. When the Sunday Tribune visited the family on Friday, the mother’s husband asked the reporters to vacate his premises after accusing the media of hurting his family. “You and your colleagues have hurt everyone in my family with the things you wrote. You humiliated innocent people,” he said.

When asked about the wellbeing of his family, he said there were plenty of families with problems and instructed journalists to find other families to write about, or write about their own problems.

The Sunday Tribune was not allowed access to the house and there was no sign of the baby or her mother.

The mother and her alleged lover, who now face charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice, are on bail of R1 000 each. The issue of paternity was referred to the family court this week.