'I don't know what's going on': Suspect's mother speaks

FRESH stitches from childbirth, a hospital identification wristband, baby clothing, a baby bath, and several other items raised no suspicions for the family of the woman accused of kidnapping 9-day-old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

During an interview with the Cape Argus yesterday, the 69-year-old mother of the 37-year-old suspect said she did not know anything about the alleged kidnapping.

She said her daughter was hospitalised for nearly a week following a C-section birth and even had the wounds to prove it. Her daughter is also not a first-time mother and has three children aged 8, 14 and 17. They have lived in Honolulu Street in Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain, for the past 17 years.

The suspect is married and well-known to residents and even shared her joy of her "pregnancy", her mother said.

The suspect's mother, who did not want to be identified, said on Monday, June 22, the daughter prepared her family for her birth and claimed she was being admitted to the Mitchell's Plain District Hospital in Lentegeur.

Her friends were excited for the new arrival, according to the mother, and had showered the infant with clothing and even fetched the woman from hospital on Saturday.