Africa

Woman in South Africa tries selling baby online for €327

Mother, now under house arrest, tells court she has no defence for her unlawful actions

A mother has pleaded guilty in a South African court to having tried to sell her baby on the Gumtree website for 5,000 rand (€327).
A mother has pleaded guilty in a South African court to having tried to sell her baby on the Gumtree website for 5,000 rand (€327).
Mon Nov 30 2015 - 19:44

A mother has pleaded guilty in a South African court to having tried to sell her baby on the internet for 5,000 rand (€327).

The woman was freed on bail and placed under house arrest ahead of being sentenced early next year.

“I admit that my actions were wrongful, unlawful and intentional. I have no defence,” the 20-year-old woman was quoted as saying by News24.

Police said the woman was arrested in October following a tip-off from a member of the public who said that a baby was being sold on the website Gumtree.

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) told the BBC the woman faced charges including human trafficking and money laundering.

“She will appear on February 29th but before that they will compile a pre-sentencing report which will be done by social services,” an NPA spokeswoman said

Sentencing will be carried out on February 29th at the Magistrates Court in the eastern town of Pietermaritzburg.

Agencies