MOM RELIEVED OVER BABY Missing tot found after alleged snatcher arrested

THE teenager who had her oneday-old baby stolen from her at the Phumulani Mall in Tembisa is relieved after learning that the woman who had snatched her child two weeks ago has been arrested.

She is happy that her baby is back and safe, although she is not allowed to see her at the hospital until the completion of DNA tests.

Mercy Mabaso, of Ivory Park near Tembisa, was approached by a woman, who pretended to be a Good Samaritan, at Tembisa Hospital’s maternity ward, a few minutes after she was discharged.

The woman told Mabaso that she had won a Shoprite voucher for looking after herself during her pregnancy. She called Mabaso by name and told her private information that she had not seen before, like her baby’s weight, and Mabaso believed that the woman worked in the hospital.

The woman dressed Mabaso’s baby in new clothes and asked her to come with her to the mall, where they would redeem the voucher. She then asked Mabaso, who had waited outside the shop, to come in and pick her own items. While Mabaso was busy choosing, the woman disappeared with the baby.

The police arrested the 24-yearold woman in Olivenhoutbosch, Gauteng, on Thursday night.

Police spokesman Captain Manyadza Ralidzhivha said: “The woman was arrested at a house where she was found with the child. The arrest came after a tip-off.”

The woman is expected to appear in Tembisa Magistrate’s Court today.

Mabaso said: “It was the longest two weeks of my life. I prayed every day and the Lord answered my prayers. The baby’s father is now happy.”

Mabaso could not stop smiling as she packed and unpacked her baby ’ s clothes.

“I sleep peacefully at night. I lost a lot of weight because I could not eat. I cannot wait to take care of my child. He gained so much weight and he still looks like his father. I am not allowed to see her at the hospital until the DNA results are back but I will be patient.”

Mabaso said she decided to name her child Blessing.

“What happened to me and my child was evil, but the Lord blessed us, he brought us back together.” –