Police have launched an urgent investigation after a nine-day-old baby was reportedly kidnapped at a Bellville shopping centre on Saturday, 28 June 2025.

According to information confirmed by the Bellville Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the infant’s mother had visited the shopping centre with her newborn and another individual.

She began to feel unwell and went to the restroom, temporarily leaving her baby in the care of the accompanying person.

When she returned, both the individual and the baby were gone.

Authorities are now probing the incident as a suspected kidnapping. No arrests have been made at this stage, and the investigation is ongoing.

“Bellville Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit is investigating a case of kidnapping,” said police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.

Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.

This article has been updated to include the image of the missing baby published by the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit. This is a developing story.