#DurbanBaby: Baby Siwaphiwe’s mother gets five years in prison
One of the most heartbreaking stories of 2017 has finally come to an end with the sentencing of baby Siwaphiwe’s mother.
After the sentencing was handed down on Wednesday, Jane called HOLAH Baby House, the home that looked after Baby Siwaphiwe during her mother's trial.
I must say I was initially taken aback by Leanne's disappointment at the verdict handed down to Siwaphiwe's mom. My first emotion took me back to when the baby had been taken in a hijacking and I remember not sleeping over that weekend, due to the horrific thoughts I had about her safety - it had me full of fear and unraveled my mind.
Read: #Durbanbaby case: Mother in shock over five-year sentence
I then thought back to when I found out it was all a hoax. I felt enraged and felt our kindness as a community had been taken advantage of, as we all pulled together to try and find her and get her home safely.
It's a complicated story and one that cost a lot of money, time, and resources. It doesn't, however, change the fact that a mother will be away from her child for anywhere between 18 months and five years.
Read: Court hears mother in #Durbanbaby case regrets her actions
This picture was taken the week after Phiwe was taken to HOLAH house and, of course, I had to kit her out in animal print.
Once again, thank you to Kim and Leanne for the life-changing work you do x