The Bothaville Regional Court has sentenced two women found guilty of child trafficking to an option of paying a fine of R60 000 each, or three years’ imprisonment.
Nthoba Rebecca Mahoa (31) and Happiness Mosedi (29) were sentenced on 24 May as the result of an investigation by the Welkom Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the elite crime fighting wing had presented compelling evidence against the two women.
“Both accused were sentenced to a R60 000 fine or three years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years on the condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension,” said Mohobeleli.
He said the investigations revealed Mosedi had intended to purchase Mahoa’s son, along with arrangements to orchestrate the sale of the child.
“On 12 September 2022, Mahoa gave birth to a baby boy. Shortly thereafter, she advertised on Facebook that she wanted to put her baby up for adoption. Her accomplice, Mosedi, showed interest and promised the mother four instalments of R1 500 to adopt the child. To prove her trustworthiness, she lied about being a medical doctor.
“Numerous WhatsApp messages were exchanged between the traffickers, and arrangements to meet were made,” said Mohobeleli.
When it was time to hand the baby over, Mahoa developed cold feet and told her neighbours that she no longer felt comfortable with the plan.
“The good neighbours informed members of the Welkom Serious Organised Crime Investigation team. A quick verification of Mosedi’s credentials revealed that she had lied about being a medical doctor. The baby was rescued, taken to a place of safety, and the two women arrested,” said Mohobeleli.
Maj. Gen. Mokgadi Bokaba, provincial head of the Hawks, has advised mothers to follow the correct adoption procedures and, for instance, ask the hospital for assistance. Bokaba has also has strongly warned against the illegal process that culminated in the two women’s arrest.
“Using social media exposes both mother and child to human trafficking. Predators routinely use social media to lure their victims,” said Bokaba.
