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The two were found guilty of charges of kidnapping and fraud, and will serve eight and 14 years in prison respectively.
Police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said in a statement the pair had kidnapped a 7-year-old girl in Folweni while she was waiting for a train in 2010.
“She was on her way back from school when she was approached by the accused, who told her that her mother had asked that she be taken home. The child was held at the accused’s home in Folweni.
“The child’s surname was changed and the second accused [50-year-old mother] applied for a new birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs so that she could obtain a social grant [R330 monthly],” Naicker said.
Meanwhile, the girl’s frantic mother had gone to the police in a desperate attempt to find her daughter.
“The child’s picture was published in the media. A member of the community recognised her and contacted the police,” he said.
“The daughter [was] sentenced to 14 years for kidnapping and 6 years for fraud whilst her mother received 8 years for kidnapping and 6 years for fraud. Their respective sentences will run concurrently,” Naicker added.
