Accused baby snatcher removes pardah in court

NEARLY a year after accused baby snatcher Sameemah Jacobs was arrested and allegedly caught red-handed holding newborn Imaad Sharmar, she has finally removed her pardah inside court for her much-anticipated pre-trial proceedings.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

This follows a warning made last month by a Bellville Magistrate’s Court presiding officer, who instructed the 37-year-old woman to remove her pardah or face contempt of court.

To make sure Jacobs’s identity remained watertight, court officials instructed everyone in the public gallery yesterday to leave the courtroom, including the infant's mother, Imaan Sharmar, and her aunt, Jennifer Hendricks, who were attending the proceedings.

Only the court officials, including the detective, Sergeant Dawid Fortuin, were allowed to stay inside the courtroom when Jacobs removed her pardah in front of the magistrate.

The in-camera proceedings were conducted to verify Jacobs's identity and ensure the process was free from outside interference.