Polokwane – Police in Limpopo have launched a manhunt following the alleged kidnapping of a two-year-old girl from her home in Ga-Mabuela village in the early hours of Saturday.
According to the South African Police Service, Tinmyne police have opened cases of housebreaking and kidnapping after the disappearance of Omphile Sethole.
It is alleged that at approximately 02:00, the child’s 52-year-old grandmother woke up to use the bathroom and took the toddler with her before returning to bed.
However, when she woke again at around 06:00, the child was missing and a window in the room had been left open.
Family members and neighbours immediately began searching the surrounding area but were unable to locate the child. The matter was then reported to police, who have since initiated a large-scale search operation for both the missing toddler and the unidentified suspect.
At the time of her disappearance, Omphile was wearing a pink jersey and black tights.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, Thembi Hadebe, has appealed to the public to assist authorities in locating the child.
“As the police, we view crimes against children in the most serious light. All available resources have been mobilised to assist with the investigation and search for the baby girl,” she said.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Omphile Sethole or the suspect is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Moshe Mashaba, on 082 319 9448, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, their nearest police station, or use the MySAPS App.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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Picture: Facebook / SAPS
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
