Kidnapped baby from Soweto back home after police traced him within hours

Police said a four-month-old baby boy who was kidnapped outside his home in Soweto was traced by police and reunited with his family within hours.

THE BABY BOY WAS KIDNAPPED OUTSIDE HIS SOWETO HOME

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe the four-month-old baby boy who was kidnapped on Tuesday afternoon outside his home in Dobsonville, Soweto.

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“The matter was reported to the SAPS, who immediately mobilised a search party comprised of all relevant specialised units to find the infant safe and unharmed, as well as apprehend those behind the kidnapping.”

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

POLICE TRACED THE BABY TO THE ROODEPOORT MINING AREA ON THE SAME NIGHT

Mathe said the police team traced the baby to the Roodepoort mining area just after 23:00 on the same night.

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The baby boy was rescued and taken to a nearby health facility for medical examination. Once cleared, the baby was safely reunited with his parents.

A MANHUNT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED FOR THE GROUP OF KIDNAPPERS

She furthermore said a manhunt had been launched for the group of kidnappers who, when police approached the area, fled into the bushes, evading arrest.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact their nearest police station or call the crime stop hotline number on 08600 10111.

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DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST THE POLICE?

Police reported 10,826 kidnapping cases between April 2021 through March 2022 and claim a 79.4% increase from 2021 to 2022.

Gauteng had the largest number of kidnapping cases, with 4,495 from 2021 to 2022, up 149% from the previous year. KwaZulu-Natal had 2,520 kidnapping cases from 2021 to 2022, up nearly 84% from 2020 to 2021.

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POLICE SAID THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN KIDNAPPINGS IN SA

And the Western Cape reported 1,028 kidnappings, increasing nearly 22% in a year.