Two Zimbabwean female suspects were caught in a child abduction case. Image: SAPS
Two Zimbabwean female suspects were caught in a child abduction case
Kriel child abduction case unfolds as two Zimbabwean female suspects face second court appearance on Wednesday, 3 January 2023.
Two Zimbabwean female suspects were caught in a child abduction case. Image: SAPS
In a legal saga unfolding in Kriel of a child abduction case, Grace Gumbo (26) and Mercy Tsoko (28) are poised for their second appearance at the Magistrate’s Court today, Wednesday, 3 January 2023.
The charges looming over them include child abduction and violations of South Africa’s Immigration Act.
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Their court appearance stems from an incident on Thursday, 28 December 2023, when a four-month-old baby girl was abducted in Thubelihle, Kriel.
New Year’s day arrest of child abduction suspects
Following a tip-off from vigilant community members on New Year’s Day, Monday 1 January 2024, police arrested the suspects in Ogies, where they were posing as caregivers with three abducted children—two baby girls and a baby boy.
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The astute response from Kriel police revealed that besides the four-month-old, a three-year-old boy, believed to be abducted in Marble Hall in April 2023, and an eight-month-old girl, allegedly taken in Springs in September 2023, were also in their custody.
“The two female suspects were charged with abduction as well as contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against them as the investigation continues,” said SAPS in a statement.
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The court appearance on Tuesday, 2 January 2024, led to a postponement for further investigation, with the suspects remaining in custody.
SAPS seeks help identifying abducted children
Police are urging the community to help identify the families of the two other abducted children. Contact Kriel SAPS on 082 798 0723, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or use MYSAPSAPP to provide confidential information.
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Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, commended the public for alerting the police and praised the swift response that led to the suspects’ arrest.
