A 26-year-old woman was arrested for kidnapping two newborn babies from Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Sinovuyo Rabula appeared in New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 22, 2025, facing two counts of kidnapping.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Rabula allegedly pretended to have abdominal pain to gain access to the hospital’s maternity ward on Tuesday, May 22.
Once inside, she reportedly posed as a new mother and took the infants without permission.
Both babies were found safe and unharmed the next day.
Rabula was arrested and remains in custody, with a formal bail application scheduled for May 30.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali confirmed the charges, stating: “The accused allegedly misled hospital staff to enter the maternity section, where she unlawfully removed two newborns. The swift recovery of the infants and arrest of the suspect reflect effective cooperation between law enforcement and health officials.”
In a related development, police also arrested a 25-year-old woman linked to the case.
A vigilant police officer noticed the two women with infants as they were leaving the hospital and stopped to question them.
“After further questioning and verification, the officer confirmed that the babies were the ones reported missing the previous night,” said police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg.
“The officer’s quick thinking and prompt action were crucial in resolving this case swiftly.”
