Police arrested a 35-year-old nanny in Empangeni after she allegedly took a nine-month-old baby from a Durban home on Saturday, 27 September 2025.
The child’s mother returned home that afternoon to find both the nanny and her baby missing.
According to the South African Police Services, when contacted, the nanny allegedly told the mother she was in Empangeni but could not provide a reasonable explanation for taking the child.
Further communication suggested the mother would need to travel alone to Empangeni to fetch her child.
Police conducted an operation that led to the nanny’s arrest
The mother reported the incident at Durban Central Police Station, prompting relevant police units to respond immediately.
In the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, police conducted an operation in Empangeni, arresting the alleged suspect.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said, “The infant was found unharmed and has been taken for a precautionary medical examination.”
Investigation Findings
Preliminary investigations revealed that the nanny had allegedly told her boyfriend that the child was theirs.
“The boyfriend had allegedly been providing her with R2500 monthly for the child’s care,” said Magwaza.
The Durban Magistrate’s Court will hear the case of the 35-year-old suspect on Monday, 29 September 2025.
