 (1).png){kind=spacer}
2 weeks ago
5
Kidnapping accused Shamiema Jacobs has been granted R4 000 bail.
- Kidnapping accused Shamiema Jacobs has been granted R4 000 bail.
- She is charged with kidnapping a 9-day-old baby at a Bellville shopping mall last month.
- The baby’s mother was emotional after the verdict.
The woman accused of kidnapping a 9-day-old baby from a Cape Town shopping mall last month was granted R4 000 bail in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Shamiema Jacobs, 37, was arrested last month after police found the missing baby at her home.
She faces charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
Standing in the dock, Jacobs was once again covered from head to toe. A scarf and black mask were used to conceal her face.
When he granted Jacobs’ bail application, Magistrate Gcobani Ndeleni said: “In the interests of justice, I am of the opinion that the accused should be released on bail, but bail with strict conditions [will apply].”
READ | 3 SIM cards, 3 aliases: New cellphone evidence in alleged baby snatcher’s bail hearing
He warned Jacobs that she was not allowed to go to Mitchells Plain and Strandfontein and ordered her to report to the police station three times a week.
Jacobs avoided the flashing cameras in court.
Some people in court could be heard saying: “She should be ashamed of herself.”
As she exited the dock, she waved at supporters and friends in the public gallery.
Close family friend Shamiela Davids said they were "very happy" Shamiema Jacobs was released on bail.
Jacobs’ close family friend, Shamiela Davids, said they were “over the moon”.
“Now she can be with her three children. This has been a very stressful time for all of us, especially for Shamiema,” said Davids.
According to Davids, Jacobs’ mother was not in court because her health had taken a turn for the worse at the time of Jacobs’ arrest.
Speaking to the media outside of court, Jacobs’ lawyer, Asongezwa Mafuya, welcomed his client’s release.
“I wouldn’t say that I expected this outcome, but the accused had a clean criminal record, which the court looked into, which I think resulted in us getting this successful outcome. My client and her family are relieved,” said Mafuya.
READ | Alleged baby snatcher ‘can’t even look me in the eye’, says mom
But, on the opposite end of the courtroom, the baby’s mother could not control her emotions and burst into tears.
Faith and Hope Missing persons organisation founder Veronique “Benjie” Williams said the justice system had failed them.
The organisation handed in a petition calling for the refusal of bail.
“Now I must go back to the Mitchells Plain community and explain what an injustice took place inside this court. We, as the organisation, are absolutely upset about this outcome. It is appalling and heartbreaking for the family,” Williams said.
The matter has been postponed till 15 October for further investigation.
