News24 | Police offer R30 000 reward for information on kidnapped baby Ivakele

• It has almost been a year since baby Ivakele Imvano Yeko, now 15 months old, was kidnapped in Somerset West.
• Police say preliminary information suggests that the boy might be in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal.
• A R30 000 reward has been offered for any information that can lead to the child's safe return. 

Western Cape police have offered a R30 000 reward for any information that can lead to the safe return of a 15-month-old baby who was kidnapped by a woman at the SA Social Security Agency office in Somerset West almost a year ago.

Ivakele Imvano Yeko was last seen on 5 December 2022, wearing a red T-shirt and a nappy. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit was seeking the assistance of the public to help trace the missing baby.

According to police records, Ivakele's caregiver handed him and his five-year-old sister to an unknown woman.

"It is alleged that the suspect befriended the caregiver and offered to buy them food and chips.

"The woman later dropped the sister on Main Road [in] Nomzamo. The five-year-old walked home after being dropped off near her house. She was taken for a medical examination and found to be in good health," said Swartbooi.

He said preliminary investigations suggested that the child might have been moved out of the Western Cape to Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu-Natal.

The case was reported at the Somerset West Police Station and transferred to Khayelitsha FCS for further investigation.

Anyone with information that could lead to the safe return of Ivakele is requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Asanda Hlana, on 082 301 8553; Lieutenant Colonel Denver Kamalie on 082 334 8370; or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.