Ngoepe's grandchild: No word on ransom
Johannesburg - Police say there has been no demand from the kidnappers of Transvaal Judge-President Bernard Ngoepe's four-year-old granddaughter.
Little Makgabo Matlala was kidnapped in what appeared to be a robbery at her home in Lenasia on Wednesday.
Vaal police spokesperson Nthabiseng Mazibuko said a massive manhunt had been launched for the kidnappers. It would continue throughout the night.
"So far, there has been no ransom demand. We have activated all units within the police to assist."
Mazibuko added that preliminary investigations ruled out the possibility of a link between the kidnapping and the Jacob Zuma rape trial, from which Judge Ngoepe had recused himself.
"There is no link at all. The findings of our preliminary investigations haven't taken us in that direction.
"There is nothing that indicates a link," said Mazibuko.
Ngoepe 'very upset'
Ngoepe added that there was no reason for the kidnapping and the Jacob Zuma rape case to be linked.
"As far as I know, I've no reason to link that and I would actually have preferred not even to think along those lines because at this stage, I've no reason to think of any linkage," he told the SABC.
A relative told Sapa on Wednesday night that Ngoepe was "very upset".
He rushed to Lenasia just hours after the child was snatched, said his nephew Phakedi Mpe.
"My uncle is not home. He went straight to Lenasia. Please, we are appealing to the kidnappers to bring our little girl home. She knows nothing and is innocent.
"I don't know what kind of person this is," he said.
Gauteng community safety MEC Firoz Cachalia expressed shock at the kidnapping.
"The MEC is very angry both at the kidnapping and the abduction," said spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyana.
"He appealed for Makgabo's safe return and gave his assurance that no stone would be left unturned in making sure those responsible were brought to book," she said.
At home with her nanny
The daughter of Springs magistrate Stephen Matlala, little Makgabo Bernice Matlala was wearing a pink top with a butterfly on the left side when she was taken.
She had been at her parents home with her nanny when three robbers stormed in at 08:00, said Mazibuko.
"The helper was scrubbing the floor when she heard noises in the house.
"She turned around, saw three males who then approached and blindfolded her.
"The men took her to one of the rooms and gang-raped her.
"The little girl... was asleep in her room."
The attackers ransacked the house, stealing DVDs and cellphones. They then picked up Makgabo and left.
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