Johannesburg - The couple accused of buying two children - a baby and a six-year-old - from Mama Jackie’s orphanage “borrowed” them to take them on holiday.
This was the evidence of Solly Baloyi, who took the stand in the trial of Raisibe Ramohlola, 60, better known as Mama Jackie.
Baloyi testified on behalf of the woman accused of selling two children for R15 000 each to the KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, couple.
The childless couple earlier testified that they were under the impression they were legally adopting the children from Mama Jackie, who owned the Delfire Home and Care Centre in Diepsloot, north of Joburg.
She is also accused of running an illegal care centre for homeless children as her establishment was not registered.
The high court in Joburg issued an order in favour of the Department of Social Development, in terms of which Mama Jackie was told to close her doors.
It is claimed that even after she allegedly sold the two children, she continued taking in abandoned children, in spite of the court order.
Baloyi said Mama Jackie was his aunt and she had taken care of him since he was 12.
Baloyi, 25, testified that he was living with her and that she had done nothing wrong.
He said the couple gave Mama Jackie a donation and later went to “borrow” two children to take with them on holiday. He said they took groceries for the orphanage.
Baloyi said his aunt didn't continue running an orphanage after she was told to stop.
The Star
* Use IOL’s Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.