Two women in court for alleged child abduction
The two female foreign nationals who were arrested on charges of child abduction will appear in court for the second time this week.
Two female Zimbabwean nationals, Grace Gumbo (26) and Mercy Tsoko (28) are expected to appear again before Kriel Magistrate’s Court today (Wednesday, January 3) for the second time this week on charges of child abduction and contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
Their appearance is in connection with the abduction of a four-month-old baby girl from Thubelihle, Ga-Nala (Kriel) on Thursday, December 28 last year.
The suspects were arrested by members of Kriel police on Monday, January 1 in Ogies where they found the two women in a shack with the girl as well as two other children, a boy (3) and a girl (eight months old).
Police got a tip-off from community members about the two women who were pretending to be caregivers and were roaming around Ogies with three children.
It is believed that the boy was abducted at Marble Hall in April last year and the girl was taken at Springs in September.
During their court appearance on Tuesday, January 2, the matter was postponed to today for further investigation meanwhile the two accused remained in custody.
Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against them as the investigation continues.
Police urge members of the community to assist in locating the families of the two other children, one from Marble Hall and the other from Springs to contact Kriel SAPS on 082 798 0723 or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded members of the public who alerted police about the two suspects.
“I also applaud the Men and Women in Blue for their swift response which led to the arrest,” said Manamela.
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