The father was arrested and detained at the Lyttleton police cells. The child has been reunited with his mother.
Mkhize said she was concerned about recorded cases involving child abduction.
“We want our children to be safe during this time, and urge police to not turn away frustrated parents or guardians who want to report cases that may include abduction,” she said.
The deputy minister appealed to the security cluster to not let their guard down and to act decisively on matters of violence against women and children during the lockdown.
“We simultaneously call on parents and caregivers to ensure that children are cared for and not left unattended during the lockdown, as advised by the department of social development,” she said.