08/05/2026
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has noted with concern the circulation of false and misleading information on various social media platforms claiming that a two-year-old Omphile Sethole has been found deceased.
She wishes to state that this information is untrue and the baby girl has not been found and the search for the missing toddler is ongoing.
Omphile disappeared from her home in Ga-Mabuela village in the early hours of Saturday 02 May 2026. Tinmyne Police opened cases of housebreaking at residential premises and kidnapping after the child’s 52 year-old grandmother discovered her missing at about 06:00 with an open window in the room. At the time of her disappearance, Omphile was wearing a pink jersey and black tights.
Lieutenant General Hadebe has strongly condemned the spread of misinformation and cautioned that it causes unnecessary distress to the family and undermines ongoing police efforts.
“The sharing of false reports on social media is not only irresponsible but also criminal. It creates panic and diverts public attention from the real facts. I urge all members of the public to refrain from posting or sharing unverified information about this sensitive case. Our team is working tirelessly to unmask this suspect of this senseless crime targeting our children” she said.
Police appeal to the public to continue assisting with the search and providing credible information that can lead to the safe return of Omphile to her family.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Omphile Sethole is urgently requested to contact the Investigating Officer Sergeant Moshe Mashaba on 082 319 9448 or number on 08600 10111 or nearest police station or .
Police investigations are continuing.
Tinmyne Police in Limpopo have launched a major search operation after a 2-year-old girl, Omphile Sethole, was allegedly kidnapped from her home in Ga-Mabuela village during the early hours of Saturday, 02 May 2026.
According to police, the child’s 52-year-old grandmother woke up at around 02:00 to go to the bathroom and took Omphile with her before returning to bed.
When she woke again at approximately 06:00, the toddler was missing and a window in the room had been found open.
Family members and neighbours immediately searched the surrounding area but were unable to find the child, prompting them to alert police.
Cases of housebreaking and kidnapping have since been opened, while officers continue searching for both the missing toddler and the unknown suspect.
At the time of her disappearance, Omphile was wearing a pink jersey and black tights.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said all available resources had been mobilised to locate the child and bring her home safely.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Omphile Sethole or the suspect is urged to contact Sergeant Moshe Mashaba on 082 319 9448, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, the nearest police station or use the MySAPS App.