North West Woman in Court After Allegedly Putting Child Up for Sale

• A woman made her second appearance in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Monday, 25 November, for allegedly selling her child
• The mother faces several charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery, following the alleged transaction on Sunday, 10 November 2024
• NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana told Briefly News that the two-year-old child's whereabouts remain unknown

VANDERBIJLPARK — The mother of a two-year-old toddler appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Monday, 25 November 2024 after she allegedly sold her child.

The 32-year-old North West woman faces charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police.

North West mother in court for allegedly selling child

The Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said that on Sunday, 10 November, the mother sold her two-year-old son to unidentified individuals.

Mahanjana added that on Wednesday, 13 November, the woman allegedly reported a false kidnapping case to the police. She claimed that unknown men, driving an unknown vehicle, had kidnapped her son.

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"The police's investigations revealed that she had lied about the kidnapping. She later confessed to fabricating her story," said Mahanjana.

Mahanjana told Briefly News that the woman made her second appearance on 25 November and that she has been in custody since her arrest on Tuesday, 19 November.

"The child's whereabouts remain unknown, and efforts are ongoing to locate him," said Mahanjana.

The case has been postponed until Friday, 29 November, for a formal bail application.

"The prosecution intends to oppose her release on bail," NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana added.

At this point, police have not confirmed where the child was sold or where the mother lives.

State drops kidnapping accused's charges

In related news, Briefly News reported that the state withdrew its case against Lourentia Lombaard, the fourth accused in the disappearance of Joslin Smith.

Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court on 21 October, months after she was arrested in connection with the six-year-old's disappearance.

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The accused, including Joslin's mother, Kelly, face charges of kidnapping and buying and selling of persons in persons with the purpose of exploitation.

Source: Briefly News