Mother ‘Tries’ To Sell Baby On The Internet For 5,000R

  

For a young woman in South Africa, estimated to be 20 years of age, money problems proved just too hard to handle that she had to seek an alternative source of income that included putting her, 19-month-old baby, up for sale on the Internet for 5,000 Rand (Sh 39,000). She put up an advertisement on an online classifieds and marketplace website dubbed Gumtree.

Well her plans were cut short when the police intercepted her advertisement. At first the website, Gumtree flagged down the advert, proving to be adamant, the 20 year old put up a second advert with the sale disguised under the heading: “baby car seat” in the Baby and Kids sale section. A member of the public notified the police and upon further investigation, the latest advert was found to have the same contact details as the previous one.

In an undercover operation, which had commenced following the initial posting, an agent made plans with the woman to purchase her child for cash. Police said, the little boy was handed over “as is” in the exchange. He appeared to be in a healthy state and showed no signs of neglect.

The child has since being placed under the care of the Department of Social Development, as his father and other relatives sought. His 20 year old mother faces charges of human trafficking in court.