Two Zimbabwean women Grace Gumbo (26) and Mercy Tsoko (28), made their second appearance at the Kriel Magistrates’ Court in Nelspruit on Wednesday. The duo is facing charges of child abduction and contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.
Allegations are that the duo posed as caregivers, deceiving community members and then kidnapping children from their parents in the area.
Prompt action was taken by the Kriel police four days after a four-month-old baby girl was abducted from Thubelihle in Kriel on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the two women in Ogies, the police swiftly arrested Gumbo and Tsoko, rescuing the abducted infant unharmed. However, during the operation, they discovered two additional children – an eight-month-old infant girl and a three-year-old boy.
The arrest of the two women took place in a shack in Ogies, where it was revealed that along with the four-month-old girl, a three-year-old boy, and an eight-month-old girl were also present. Investigators suspect that the two women abducted the three-year-old boy in Marble Hall in April 2023 and the eight-month-old girl in Springs in September 2023.
Police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala informed EWN that investigations are ongoing, stating,
“We are continuing with our investigation to find out whether they have not committed similar offences in other areas so that we can add more charges.”
Police in Mpumalanga are urging members of the public to help locate the families of the eight-month-old girl and three-year-old boy. Parents who may have lost their children are encouraged to contact the Kriel Police Station.
Source iHarare
