A 75-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman have been arrested in Cape Town after they allegedly approached a babysitter and offered money to take a young child in her care.

The incident reportedly happened in Table View before police launched an urgent search for the elderly couple. According to reports, the suspects allegedly approached the babysitter while she was caring for the child and made an offer to buy the minor.

The babysitter reported the alleged incident to the police, prompting authorities to circulate an all-points bulletin containing information about the suspects and the vehicle they were travelling in.

Police eventually located the vehicle in Melkbosstrand at around 2:30pm on Tuesday. The 75-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were subsequently taken into custody.

Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed the arrests, saying the pair were facing allegations involving human trafficking and attempted kidnapping. Police said the investigation was still under way and that further details would be released as investigators established the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The identity and age of the child have not been made public. Authorities have also not disclosed how much money the suspects allegedly offered the babysitter or whether they had any previous relationship with the child or the caregiver.

Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances leading up to the alleged approach, including the couple’s intentions and whether the incident formed part of a wider trafficking attempt.

The arrests have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of children and the importance of caregivers remaining alert to suspicious approaches. The case also highlights the various ways in which child trafficking and exploitation can allegedly occur.

South Africa continues to face significant challenges involving crimes against children. Government figures for the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year recorded 8,984 cases of child abuse on the National Child Protection Register, including 3,258 cases involving sexual abuse.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that trafficking can take different forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, illegal adoption and other forms of exploitation. Children are particularly vulnerable because they may be unable to protect themselves or report suspicious behaviour.

The latest Cape Town case comes amid wider concern about child protection in the province. Another recent investigation involved an 11-year-old girl from Strandfontein who was allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation. Police arrested suspects in connection with that matter, with the case proceeding through the courts.

While the two cases are unrelated, they have once again placed child safety under the spotlight and prompted calls for stronger cooperation between families, communities, social workers and law-enforcement agencies.

For now, the elderly couple remains at the centre of an ongoing investigation. Their arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt, and the allegations will have to be tested through the legal process.

Police have urged members of the public to report suspected child trafficking, exploitation or attempts to remove children from legitimate caregivers. The investigation into the alleged Table View incident is expected to provide more clarity on what happened and why the couple allegedly approached the babysitter.