The Gauteng Department of Health has called for heightened vigilance following two recent incidents of infant abduction at public health facilities in the province.

The first incident occurred in May at the Alexandra Community Health Centre, where a one-month-old baby was taken after the mother left the child with a stranger.

The second incident took place on Monday at the Winnie Mandela Clinic, where a three-day-old baby was abducted from a changing table by an unknown woman.

The department says both babies were safely recovered.

The department’s spokesperson Motalatale Modiba has urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant.

“We want to urge parents to be extra cautious. We commend the police for the swift action in terms of responding to this, and our staff as well for being able to work closely with law enforcement agencies to reunite both child and parent. The MEC of Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has made a call to parents not to leave their children with strangers at healthcare facilities,” says Mabiba.