According to police spokesperson Maria Nkabinde, the baby was taken by a woman known only as Kedibone, who apparently lives in Phase 3, Oukasie. The incident occurred at about 16:40 in a local shopping centre.

"It is alleged that the mother, Suzan Kutumela, 19, was carrying her baby in the company of a male friend, also from Oukasie, when they met the suspect at the Brits Post Office. [The mother] then decided to accompany the suspect, who was also carrying a baby on her back, to the taxi rank, leaving the male friend behind.

"The two women went to buy food at the Shoprite Centre in Murray Avenue. [Kutumela] allegedly left her baby with the suspect to go inside the shop. Upon her return, the suspect was nowhere to be found with the two babies."

Nkabinde said the suspect was wearing a brown jacket and a pink towel was used to tie one of the babies around her back.

"The police request anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Detective Sergeant Jonas Mogotlane of the Brits Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit on 060 970 9200, or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the My SAPS app.

News24