Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Kidnapper appears in court while 'miracle baby' and family watches on

By Tarryn Le Chat
27 February 2007

Kidnapped for 11 days, ‘miracle baby’ Yolanda Yoba, sitting on her mothers lap, smiled while many people surrounded her in the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court yesterday.

Nokulunga Yoba, mother to the 11-week-old was glad to have her baby returned to her at the weekend by police.

Yolanda was kidnapped and taken to Mpumalanga where she stayed with the alleged kidnapper, 29-year-old Mandisa Tile.

Tile appeared on the kidnapping charge as the public gallery was crammed. She had on yellow tracksuit top, blue pants and stood fidgeting.

Magistrate Maya Praga had asked Tile whether she would appoint her own attorney or wanted a pro bono legal aid attorney or would conduct her own defence, Tile said she would speak for herself.

The state has opposed bail as they believe Tile is a flight risk as she was arrested in Mpumalanga. She also had outstanding warrant of arrest issued in September 2005.

Tile and another woman gained access to the baby’s home by claiming they were social workers.

The case was postponed to March 16 for a bail application hearing.

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