A 28-year-old Malawian woman, identified as Fatima Lawerence (also known as Esther), is being sought by South African authorities following an alleged theft from her employer's residence in Durban.

The victim claims that approximately R1 million worth of old gold jewellery, several Kruger coins passed down through generations, and R10,000 in cash were stolen from the home.

Lawerence, who worked as a domestic worker for the family for seven years, is suspected of orchestrating the theft, which was reportedly discovered when the family returned home on 12 July 2026.Authorities believe she may be attempting to flee South Africa to Malawi with her five-year-old daughter.The case highlights concerns about cross-border crime and the challenges of tracking individuals who exploit legal loopholes to evade justice.Investigations are ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.

The incident also underscores the vulnerabilities of domestic workers, many of whom lack formal contracts or security measures to protect their personal belongings.