The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape confirmed on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, that the two premature babies who were stolen from Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha have been found, still in healthy condition whilst two female suspects aged 25 and 26 were arrested. The suspects are expected to appear before New Brighton Magistrate court soon.
According to police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg the two suspects (women) were arrested by the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit on charges of Child stealing. Police reported that as one of the SAPS officers was busy exiting the premises of Dora Nginza Hospital, he noticed two females with infants and immediately approached them and after further interrogation the two infants were identified as the two babies that were stolen in Dora.
The reports stated that the mother of one infant left her baby in the Premature Unit (PREM) of the maternity ward after breastfeeding at approximately 18:55. When she returned at around 20:30 to feed the child again, she discovered he was missing. A second mother later arrived and found her baby also missing from the ward. The first infant was four days old, while the second was two days old.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo also confirmed the discovery of these premature babies stating that the matter now was in the hands of the police and the department will not give further information. “Follow-up questions can now be directed to the police,” concluded Kupelo.
