Action Society has been mandated to support Imaan Sharmar, mother of 12-month-old Mogamat Imaad Sharmar, who was abducted from a shopping mall in Bellville, Cape Town, in June this year. Baby Mogamat was found safe two days later in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, following a police investigation that led to the arrest of 37-year-old Sameemah Jacobs.
The accused, who allegedly deceived Imaan by using two false identities to gain her trust, appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court today. The matter has been postponed to 21 October 2025 for an application to amend her bail conditions, as the accused wishes to attend a religious excursion. The prosecutor requested that the magistrate reiterate the bail conditions. The accused’s Legal Aid representative was not present in court. The matter was also postponed for further investigation, specifically relating to cellphone evidence and forensic analysis.
“This case exposes how vulnerable mothers are being exploited by individuals who use false identities and community networks to gain access to their children,” said Kaylynn Palm, head of Action Society’s Action Centre. “We will stand with Imaan through every step of this process to ensure that justice is done and that the system does not fail her again.”
According to Sharmar, the woman first introduced herself as Washeemah, befriending her at a clinic before her baby’s birth. As Washeemah, she always wore a pardah covering her face, stayed in contact after the birth, and regularly collected Imaan and her baby for clinic appointments. Later, Washeemah told Imaan about the Zoey Project, claiming it assisted young mothers, and offered to connect her. The same woman then re-emerged under a new identity – “Chevon,” a nurse from the Zoey Project – and convinced Imaan to attend a course on 28 June.
“She had me picked up, and she was sitting at the back. She gave me some Oros. We were early and went to the mall; I felt dizzy and nauseous and went to the toilet. I left my child with the woman, for less than five minutes and when I returned, they were gone,” Sharmar said.
“Clearly the accused carefully planned and executed the abduction. By assuming multiple identities and cultivating a relationship with Imaan Sharmar over several months, she deliberately gained the young mother’s trust and access to her baby. The pattern of deception – from befriending Imaan before the birth, to posing as a supporter of young mothers through the so-called Zoey Project – indicates a calculated and manipulative effort to mislead and target a vulnerable woman for the purpose of carrying out the kidnapping,” added Palm.
As part of its mandate in this case, Action Society will:
- • Offer emotional support to the affected family;
• Oversee and report on court proceedings to ensure justice is served;
• Advocate for stronger safeguards for vulnerable mothers and children; and
• Challenge lenient bail decisions in serious child-related cases.
Recent SAPS data shows that more than 17 000 kidnappings were reported across South Africa in 2023/24 — averaging over 45 per day. Although SAPS does not publish separate figures for child abductions, experts warn that the true number is likely far higher due to under-reporting and misclassification of cases.
“Every child abduction is an emergency. We cannot normalise a climate where parents fear losing their children in public spaces. Action Society will continue to hold law enforcement and the justice system accountable for protecting South Africa’s most vulnerable,” Palm concluded.
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