The father of a Gauteng toddler who was kidnapped from his nursery school has lashed out at officials who allegedly gave his child to a stranger.

A 27-year-old woman faces a charge of kidnapping after she was spotted with the toddler near the city centre.

She was accused of collecting the two-year-old from daycare in Evaton, south of Johannesburg on Wednesday - the woman had claimed to be the little girl’s sibling.

The child’s father Michael Mothudi believes security measures at the centre are appalling.

The daycare centre owner Regina Morake said her new domestic worker, who was unaware of procedures, released the child.

She added it was an unfortunate situation.