In a dramatic and emotionally charged bail hearing at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, a seasoned police officer presented a detailed sequence of events leading to the rescue of baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar, allegedly abducted by 37-year-old Sameemah Jacobs.
Jacobs, who appeared in court dressed in a white and brown jacket, wearing a pardah and scarf, remained composed throughout proceedings. Her legal aid representative, Asongewa Mafuya, explained her attire was rooted in religious custom. This clarification followed a request by State prosecutor Salaahuddeen Simon, who asked whether her face could be visible during court proceedings, noting:
“During the first appearance a week ago, I thought she was sick.”
Sergeant Dawid Fortuin, a police officer with 22 years of experience, delivered an extensive testimony detailing how the case unfolded over several months. Armed with the case docket, Fortuin began by recounting the initial contact between Jacobs and the baby’s mother, Imaan Sharmar, dating back to February.
According to Fortuin, the woman identified as Sameemah established trust with Sharmar at a local clinic, going as far as purchasing her food and accompanying her on a beach outing. They exchanged contact numbers and remained in touch in the months that followed.
“Sameemah had accompanied Sharmar to hospital on the date of delivery on June 19,”
Fortuin stated, describing a sustained involvement that suggested premeditation.
Further deepening the intrigue, Fortuin noted that in May, a different woman identifying herself as “Chevon” visited Sharmar’s home, claiming affiliation with an organisation called the Zoey Project, purportedly offering assistance to single mothers. Chevon promised financial help and baby supplies.
“A day prior to the kidnapping, Chevon contacted her and said she would receive R500 in cash and a baby packet containing clothing on June 28 when they attended a workshop in Bellville,”
Fortuin said.
The following day, at around 11am, a white Suzuki vehicle arrived at Sharmar’s residence. Upon entering the vehicle, she observed Sameemah seated in the back, while a man named Allan drove. Fortuin added that Chevon was identifiable by specific facial features.
“Chevon had a birthmark on her face and a beauty spot on her cheek,”
he told the court.
The journey to Bellville took a sinister turn. Sharmar was given a drink—Oros—and food from Hungry Lion, after which she became disoriented and nauseous.
“On the way to Bellville the complainant drank Oros, which was given to her, and when she arrived at the mall she said she is feeling dizzy and light-headed and she was given Hungry Lion,”
Fortuin testified.
Sharmar then vomited in a rubbish bin and stepped into a bathroom, entrusting her baby and belongings to Chevon.
“She gave the baby bag and the baby to Chevon. Five minutes later when she came out, Chevon was gone with the baby,”
he said.
The mother’s desperate search began immediately. CCTV footage from the mall later confirmed Chevon exiting with the baby.
Progress in the case was slow until June 30, when Fortuin joined the investigative team. A breakthrough came via a tip from a community member contacted through the Missing Persons Unit.
“This informer said that a woman in her road named Sameemah had asked her daughter for her urine because she was pregnant and needed it for a project,”
Fortuin revealed.
Further analysis of Uber trip data identified two relevant addresses—one in Blombos Street, Lentegeur, and another in Strandfontein, where the baby had lived. A prior lead had proven fruitless, but this new information reignited the investigation.
Simon, clearly engrossed, pressed Fortuin for the next developments.
“What did the team do next?”
he asked.
At 6pm that same day, chaos erupted in Tafelsig, where the community had grown restive. The Missing Persons Unit informed Fortuin that residents were on the verge of rioting. Multiple units, including Public Order Police, were dispatched to maintain control.
When officers arrived at a particular residence, they were greeted by an older woman identifying herself as Jacobs’s mother. She led police to a back room where a young man and a woman with a baby were present.
“She was breastfeeding the baby and I could see that the baby was in distress,”
Fortuin said.
When questioned, the woman claimed the infant as her own and presented documents including a birth certificate and the “Road to Health” booklet. However, discrepancies were noted.
“I noticed that it looked like it had been scratched out in order to change the date and time,”
he explained.
At the urging of his colleague, the baby’s face was examined more closely.
“The baby looked a lot like the one who was missing,”
Fortuin confirmed.
As the courtroom broke for lunch, the emotional weight of the case remained heavy. Inside, Jacobs was surrounded by her family, while Sharmar was supported by her own relatives.
