The grandparents of missing Limpopo toddler Omphile Sethole are expected to appear in the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application on charges of child neglect. Omphile’s grandmother, Nkgalakana Vinolia Mabusela, 52, and grandfather, Lesiba Jacob Ledwaba, 55, were arrested on Friday, May 15, 2026, by members of the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
Their arrest followed investigations into the disappearance of Omphile, who was allegedly snatched from her grandmother’s bed in the early hours of Saturday, May 2, at Ga-Mabuela village in Mapela, near Mokopane, Limpopo. According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the grandmother reportedly woke at about 2am to use the bathroom and took the toddler with her before returning to bed.
Investigations and Search Operations
When she woke again at about 6am, the toddler was missing and a window in the room was open. Family members and neighbours immediately launched a search, but the child could not be found. The matter was then reported to the Tinmyne Police Station, prompting a large-scale search operation for both the missing child and an unknown suspect.
Police initially opened cases of housebreaking and kidnapping. At the time of her disappearance, Omphile was wearing a pink jersey and black tights. The disappearance of Omphile has shocked communities across the country, with calls for her safe return continuing to intensify.
Child Neglect Charges
Last week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo said the matter falls within the ambit of Section 60(11)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. Limpopo NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said both accused were in a domestic relationship with the victim, as defined in Section 1 of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, and are the child’s grandparents.
The biological parents of the child are currently in Gauteng and have placed the child in the care and custody of the accused. The arrests stemmed from a separate kidnapping case opened at Tinmyne Police Station. In that matter, the child was allegedly kidnapped while asleep at home. During investigations into the kidnapping, it was allegedly discovered that the accused had been neglecting the child.
- The grandparents face child neglect charges
- The child remains missing after three weeks
- Investigations into the kidnapping are ongoing
It has now been three weeks since Omphile disappeared, and her family continues to hold out hope for her safe return. The community is urged to come forward with any information that may lead to the safe return of Omphile.
