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MAHWELERENG — The grandparents of missing two-year-old Omphile Sethole have appeared before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo, where they face charges of alleged child neglect linked to the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance.
The accused, 52-year-old Vionila Mabuela and 55-year-old Jacob Ledwaba, were arrested on Friday by members of the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. They made a brief court appearance on Monday, where proceedings were postponed for a formal bail application.
According to court details reported by prosecutors, the charges stem from allegations that the child was not properly cared for over a period of several months between January and May 2026. Authorities say this alleged neglect is being treated seriously as investigators continue trying to determine what happened on the night Omphile went missing.
Omphile disappeared on 2 May 2026 from her home in Ga-Mabuela village, near the Waterberg District. Reports indicate she was last seen sleeping in a room at her grandmother’s home before she was discovered missing in the early hours of the morning. Police later opened cases of housebreaking and kidnapping, with investigations now focused on both the disappearance and possible prior neglect.
Despite the arrests, the child remains missing, and search teams continue to comb surrounding areas. Police have confirmed that no breakthrough has yet been made in locating her.
During the court proceedings, the State strongly opposed bail for the accused, arguing that their release could interfere with ongoing investigations and potentially compromise efforts to trace the missing toddler. Prosecutors further told the court that the seriousness of the charges means the accused must prove that their release would be in the interests of justice.
The defence, however, indicated that the pair may only be able to afford a small bail amount, while the court has since ruled that they will remain in custody pending a formal bail hearing.
Magistrate Maureen Ngobeni postponed the case to 25 May 2026 for the bail application, stressing that the accused carry the responsibility to convince the court that they can be released without undermining the investigation.
Meanwhile, police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating Omphile, as concern continues to grow over her safety. The investigation remains ongoing, with specialised units involved in tracking all possible leads.
