Two women appear in court on charges of child abduction

Share the Article:

Two female suspects are expected to appear at the Kriel Magistrate’s Court for the second time on Wednesday on charges of child abduction and contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.

Their appearance comes after a four-month-old baby girl was reportedly abducted at Thubelihle in Kriel on Thursday.

During their court appearance on Tuesday the matter was postponed to Wednesday for further investigation.

Grace Gumbo, 26, and Mercy Tsoko, 28, were arrested on New Year’s Day, for allegedly abducting a total of three children, including the baby girl.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, they got a tip-off from community members about the two women who were pretending to be care givers that were roaming around Ogies with three babies.

“The police in Kriel swiftly responded to the information then managed to arrest the pair and reportedly found them with three children, two baby girls as well as one baby boy.

“The two were reportedly cornered in one of the shacks in Ogies. It was during this period when the astute members discovered that, besides the four months old girl, there was a baby boy who is believed to be three years old.

“It is suspected that the child was also abducted at Marble Hall in April 2023. As if that was not enough, another baby girl believed to be eight months old was found as well during the arrest of the two,” he said.

ALSO READ | ‘Masterful storyteller’ – Minister Kodwa on lensman Peter Magubane

Brig Mohlala added that this child is also believed to have been abducted at Springs in September 2023 allegedly by the two women.

He continued; “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.