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Fear and heartbreak continue to grip the community of Ga-Mabuela village in Mapela, Mokopane, after two-year-old Omphile Sethole was allegedly abducted from her grandmother’s home in the early hours of Saturday, May 2.
As police intensify the search for the missing child, her devastated family has now revealed that a suspicious vehicle had reportedly been seen slowly driving around their yard just a day before Omphile mysteriously disappeared.
The shocking incident has sparked outrage and concern across South Africa, with many calling for the toddler’s safe return.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Omphile had been sleeping beside her 52-year-old grandmother when the incident happened.
The grandmother reportedly woke up at around 2am to use the bathroom and took the little girl with her before returning to bed. However, when she woke again at approximately 6am, Omphile was nowhere to be found.
Police say a window in the room had been left open, raising suspicions that someone may have entered the house during the night and taken the child while the family slept.
Family members and neighbours immediately began searching the surrounding area but found no sign of the missing toddler. The matter was later reported to police at Tinmyne Police Station, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale search operation.
At the time of her disappearance, Omphile was wearing a pink jersey and black tights.
Speaking about the traumatic ordeal, Omphile’s father, Khutso Bradley Mabuela, said he was working in Johannesburg when he received the devastating news.
“When we heard about this incident, we had to come back immediately. It has been very difficult to process what happened. We are traumatised and still asking ourselves what really happened that day,” he said.
Mabuela described the incident as something the community has never experienced before.
“This has never happened before here. It has taken everyone by surprise,” he said.
He described Omphile as a friendly and cheerful little girl who attended creche and was comfortable around people.
“Omphile is a bubbly little girl. She loves people and is not afraid of anyone,” he said.
The family now believes the kidnapping may have been carefully planned.
According to Mabuela, residents informed them about a suspicious vehicle that had been driving slowly around the area and near their yard the day before the child disappeared.
“We don’t know what it was looking for, but it was moving slowly near our yard,” he explained.
The distraught father believes the people responsible may have specifically targeted his daughter.
“I believe someone knows what happened. Whoever did this must have known exactly which room she was sleeping in. Nothing else was taken — even phones that were left in plain sight were untouched. They came specifically for my child,” he said emotionally.
He also revealed that Omphile’s grandmother has been struggling emotionally since the incident.
“She is not doing well. She was used to being with Omphile all the time, and now she can hardly sleep,” he said.
Despite the pain and uncertainty, the family remains hopeful that Omphile will be found alive and safely returned home.
“All we want is for her to come back home safe. Even if whoever took her leaves her at the gate and disappears, that would be enough. We just want her alive,” Mabuela pleaded.
Police have since opened cases of housebreaking and kidnapping as investigations continue.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said authorities are treating the case with urgency.
“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.
Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathe condemned the incident, describing it as a cruel attack against a vulnerable child.
“These are barbaric, cowardly acts against the most vulnerable among us. We are sickened,” she said.
Mathe urged members of the public to remain alert and assist police with any information that could help bring Omphile home.
“If you see a child who looks like Omphile, or if you have heard or know anything, come forward. Silence protects criminals, not children,” she added.
Police are appealing to anyone with information regarding Omphile’s whereabouts to contact investigating officer Sergeant Moshe Mashaba on 082 319 9448, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, visit the nearest police station, or use the MySAPS app.
