Detective says it would be safer for Sameemah Jacobs to remain behind bars

CAPE TOWN - An anti-kidnapping unit detective said it would be safer for alleged baby snatcher Sameemah Jacobs if she remains behind bars.

Jacobs is charged with kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice for allegedly abducting a nine-day-old baby boy from his mother at Middestad Mall in Bellville three weeks ago.

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The kidnapping accused appeared in Bellville Magistrates Court on Thursday for a bail hearing.

Anti-kidnapping unit detective Dawid Fortuin said before police arrested Jacobs, a group of angry residents were ready to confront the accused at her mother's home in Tafelsig.

Fortuin presented the court with a petition signed by 122 residents in favour of Jacobs being denied bail.

Jacobs's lawyer later provided the court with another petition signed by 111 residents, some from outside of Mitchells Plain, for Jacobs to be released from prison for the duration of the trial.

The baby's mother, Imaan Sharmar, said she won't feel safe if Jacobs is released on bail.

"The feeling of just having her out here again brings up a lot of emotions for me... I just feel like I'm not safe at this moment."

The bail hearing is set to continue next Wednesday.