Accused baby kidnapper could do it again, says officer

SERGEANT Dawid Fortuin of the Serious and Violent Crimes Kidnapping Unit told the Bellville Magistrate's court that the actions of the woman accused of kidnapping a nine-day-old baby were calculated and posed a risk to society.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Sameemah Jacobs, who faces charges of iidnapping and potentially defeating the ends of justice, appeared in court yesterday.

She was arrested two days after the disappearance of baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar. The baby was allegedly taken from his mother, Imaan Sharmar (also known as Britney Brandt), on June 28 at Middestad Mall in Bellville.

Sharmar believed she was attending a support workshop for single mothers under the banner of the Zoey Project.

Jacobs was later found with the baby, who was unharmed. She was arrested following tip-offs from the community.

During her bail application, Magistrate G Ndaleni raised the issue of whether keeping Jacobs in custody might infringe on the rights of her own child, referencing Section 28 of the Constitution, which protects the best interests of children.

“She is a first-time offender. Has it been proven that the accused would endanger the public?” the magistrate asked during proceedings. However, Fortuin testified that Jacobs's actions posed a risk to society.