A KwaZulu-Natal family has appealed to the public for help in locating their domestic worker, who is accused of stealing heirloom jewellery worth an estimated R1 million before allegedly attempting to flee South Africa.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Fatima Lawerence, is believed to also use the name Esther, which reportedly appears on her passport. She is allegedly travelling with her five-year-old daughter.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the family contacted the private security company on Sunday after returning home and discovering that their valuables were missing.
RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said the stolen items include gold jewellery accumulated over several generations, several Krugerrand gold coins and approximately R10,000 in cash.
“The jewellery is valued at approximately R1 million and consists mainly of heirloom gold jewellery that has been passed down through generations. Besides its monetary value, it holds immense sentimental significance for the family,” Balram said.
The woman had reportedly been employed as the family’s domestic worker for about seven years before the alleged theft.
Investigators believe she may be attempting to leave South Africa and travel to Malawi. Anyone with information about her whereabouts has been urged to contact the South African Police Service or Reaction Unit South Africa immediately.
The case comes as South African authorities continue tightening border security and stepping up efforts to combat cross-border crime and undocumented migration. The Department of Home Affairs, together with the Border Management Authority (BMA), has intensified operations at the country’s ports of entry and along its land borders to detect people travelling without the necessary documentation and to intercept suspected criminal activity.
Home Affairs has repeatedly stressed that immigration enforcement is aimed at ensuring compliance with South African law and should not be used to stigmatise foreign nationals. The department has maintained that the overwhelming majority of migrants living and working in South Africa are law-abiding residents.
Malawi is among the neighbouring countries whose nationals have, at various times, been repatriated after being found to be in South Africa illegally. During nationwide enforcement operations over the past few years, thousands of undocumented foreign nationals from countries including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho have been deported after due legal processes were followed. The Border Management Authority has also reported intercepting individuals attempting to cross South Africa’s borders unlawfully.
Police have not yet confirmed whether the suspect has crossed the border, and no criminal conviction has been made. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have urged members of the public not to circulate unverified information or attempt to apprehend the suspect themselves.
Anyone with credible information that could assist investigators is encouraged to report it to the nearest police station or contact Reaction Unit South Africa.
