The Perfect Holiday Gift Gift Now

The psychology of infant kidnappings

Cape Argus

|

July 07, 2025

TEARS ORGANISATION

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

"THE baby is not seen as a person, but as a solution something to fill a psychological void.

This is the weigh-in of TEARS general manager of operations, Celeste Louw, as recent headlines centred around the kidnapping of 9-day-old baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar in Cape Town last week.

In two recent cases at Gauteng hospitals, newborns were abducted and in both cases the babies were safely recovered thanks to CCTV surveillance and security measures.

According to Louw, the mind of a kidnapper is complex, in which they are faced with a psychological void to resolve.

"The recent case of a newborn abducted from Bellville, Cape Town, has gripped the nation," she said.

"Thankfully, the baby was recovered safely, due to swift community vigilance and police intervention.

Cape Argus からのその他のストーリー

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Western Cape public hospitals welcome 132 New Year's babies

THE Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness announced the arrival of 132 babies born in public health facilities across the province on January 1, marking a heartwarming start to the new year.

time to read

1 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Father's act of kindness turns into a nightmare

A PORTLAND father's act of kindness turned terrifying when criminals hijacked his vehicle and stole his phone while he was repairing a leak at his local church.

time to read

1 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

SA referee Tom at centre as Mali edge Tunisia

SOUTH African referee Abongile Tom shows the penalty spot during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match between Mali and Tunisia at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

time to read

2 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Widow of murdered cop to face trial in February

THE widow of a murdered police officer is expected to face trial next month.

time to read

1 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Dobson says he was never worried by Bulls pressing

STORMERS director of rugby John Dobson never doubted that his team would pull off a win against the Bulls on Saturday in Cape Town as they racked up victory number eight in the competition to remain unbeaten and atop the United Rugby Championship (URC) log.

time to read

2 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

A bitter-sweet tale of love, fate and chaos

AUDIOBOOKS offer a special kind of immersion, pulling listeners into stories that can evoke laughter, tears, and contemplation.

time to read

1 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Maduro in New York jail

VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro was in a New York jail at the weekend, hours after American special forces seized and flew him out of his country which Donald Trump said would come under effective US control.

time to read

2 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Cornwell's re-imagining of a notorious South African murder case

YES, we live in a hell of a country, not least because our murder statistics are far too high, violence has become a norm and the relics of the past revisit us with horrifying persistence.

time to read

1 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

School transport in crisis, National Treasury admits

‘INEFFECTIVE SYSTEM’

time to read

2 mins

January 05, 2026

Cape Argus

Girl (12) caught in crossfire during truck robbery

BRAZEN gunmen attempting to carry out a robbery on a bread delivery truck, have shot and wounded a 12-year-old girl in Valhalla Park.

time to read

1 mins

January 05, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size