Police are urgently searching for two newborn babies who were abducted from the maternity ward at Dora Nginza Hospital in the Eastern Cape last night. The infants, aged just two and four days old, were reportedly stolen from the hospital’s premature unit.
Details of the Abduction
According to authorities, one mother had left her baby in the ward after breastfeeding, only to return and find the child missing. Shortly after, a second mother received the same devastating news. Police have opened two kidnapping cases and are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the infants’ recovery.
Hospital Under Scrutiny
This shocking incident comes amid long-standing concerns over conditions at Dora Nginza Hospital’s maternity ward. Earlier this month, reports emerged of pregnant women being forced to sleep on chairs and even the floor due to overcrowding. In January, healthcare workers staged protests over unpaid overtime and staffing shortages.
The facility’s chronic issues were highlighted, including severe staff shortages that have left patients vulnerable. Security lapses may also have played a role—witnesses claim two women attempted to enter the ward before one allegedly slipped past security with a bag.
Family Speaks Out
The grandmother of one of the missing babies, a four-day-old girl, revealed that her 16-year-old daughter had given birth prematurely after suffering distress upon learning of her father’s death. The family claims hospital staff only alerted mothers at 1 a.m. that the babies were missing.
Disturbingly, the grandmother also disclosed that the newborn had a prior injury, discovered by doctors after birth, raising further questions about hospital oversight.
Authorities Respond
An Eastern Cape health department spokesperson is expected to address the media later today. Police are intensifying their search while investigators probe possible security failures.
This tragic case has reignited outrage over healthcare conditions in the region, with calls for immediate intervention to protect vulnerable mothers and infants.
Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities immediately.
