Mother of Bellville infant who was kidnapped says she won't feel safe if alleged abductor gets bail

CAPE TOWN - The mother of a newborn baby who was kidnapped said she won't feel safe if her child's alleged abductor is released on bail.

Kidnapping-accused Shameemah Jacobs made a brief appearance in the Bellville Magistrates Court on Thursday after being arrested in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, on Monday.

Jacobs was arrested after the baby boy was snatched from the Middestad Mall in Bellville on Saturday.

The baby's mother, Imaan Sharmar, who was at court on Thursday with the baby, said she wanted Jacobs to remain behind bars.

Sharmar braved stormy conditions on Thursday with her baby to be present when the infant's alleged kidnapper appeared in court.

After the matter was postponed for the State to collect bail information, the baby’s mother told Eyewitness News that she wasn't ready to see Jacobs.

"I'm having a lot of anxiety, and I’m not able to handle it. I just need to gather myself and just come much more prepared next time."

Sharmar said she would be back in court for a possible bail hearing next week, but would prefer it if Jacobs remained in custody.

"I don't think I'll feel safe if she's released on bail... No, not at all."

The prosecution is set to obtain information about Jacobs to create a bail profile before the matter returns to court on 10 July.