Joyce Mokoena, who helped a Malawian mother with language at Hillbrow clinic, has been arrested over the missing newborn baby.
Police are searching for Ntombifuthi Victoria Xulu from Newcastle, who they say took a Malawian mother’s newborn baby in Hillbrow.
A mother from Malawi is searching for her newborn baby after two women tricked her and took the child from her Hillbrow flat in April 2025.
The mother had been attending pregnancy checkups at Hillbrow clinic. Because she did not understand South African languages, a woman named Joyce Mokoena helped her with interpretation.
She gave birth at the clinic in April 2025 and was told to come back after three days for a checkup.
When she returned, Mokoena was there again, this time with another woman.
After the checkup, the two women asked where the mother lived. She agreed to show them.
While walking, Mokoena said she was thirsty and asked for water. The mother took both women to her flat and gave them water.
The women then said they were hungry. The mother said she had no food. They offered her money and suggested she leave the baby with one of them and go buy food with the other.
The mother left with Mokoena, leaving her baby behind with the second woman.
While waiting for food, Mokoena said she wanted a cigarette and walked away. She did not return.
The mother rushed back to her flat. Her baby and the second woman were gone. When she went back to the shop, Mokoena was also missing.
She called her husband and opened a case at Hillbrow police station.
Police later traced and arrested Mokoena. Investigations identified the second woman as Ntombifuthi Victoria Xulu from Newcastle. Police have issued a warrant for Xulu’s arrest and are searching for her.
Pictured above: Ntombifuthi Victoria Xulu, named as a suspect in the disappearance of a newborn baby in Hillbrow.
Image source: SAPS
