PERPETRATOR DATA: 26 years old, was former police officer in Cape Town, South Africa

VICTIM:  16 year old Tasmidah Ganief

METHOD OF LOCATING VICTIM:  saw Ganief at maternity clinic

SURVIVAL OF MOTHER:  yes, but required a hysterectomy due to injuries.

SURVIVAL OF FETUS: yes

DID PERPETRATOR HAVE CHILDREN: unclear; possible miscarriages.

FAKED PREGNANCY: yes

MOTIVE: unclear

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE SOUGHT: n/a

OUTCOME: Mannoe was sent to a psychiatric hospital

Mannoe appears to have seen Ganief at a maternity clinic and befriended her, claiming to be pregnant as well. At some point, Mannoe invited Ganief to her home with the offer of a gift.

Once Mannoe lured Ganief to Mannoe’s home, the former police officer tied the victim’s  hands, gagged her, and used a bread knife to remove Ganief’s infant. Ganief later reported that Mannoe had threatened to kill the infant if Ganief struggled. Mannoe reportedly put the newborn in a rucksack and set off for the same maternity clinic where she found Ganief.   Mannoe shoved Ganief out of her home, apparently expecting her to bleed to death but she managed to stagger outside and follow after Mannoe. At one point, Mannoe saw Ganief and shoved her to the ground.  Three teenagers in the area witnessed this and came to Ganief’s aid. She told the teenagers that Mannoe had her newborn baby and the teenagers threw rocks at Mannoe until she gave them the infant. 

During the police investigation, medical journals or books about Caesarean sections were found at Mannoe’s home. 

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/breadknife-birth-teen-rescuers-honoured-39300

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/birth-by-butchery-spells-tragedy-for-mom-30200

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/observation-for-breadknife-birth-suspect-30380

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/breadknife-birth-woman-to-undergo-tests-30362

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/bread-knife-baby-lucky-from-birth-dad-30175

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/schoolgirl-handcuffed-during-caesarean-30045