The four-year-old granddaughter of Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe was kidnapped in a robbery in Lenasia on Wednesday, Vaal police said.

A massive manhunt has been launched for the kidnappers.

It would continue throughout the night, said Superintendent Nthabiseng Mazibuko. "So far, there has been no ransom demand. We have activated all units within the SA Police Service 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," Mazibuko said.

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.

 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 8am, 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.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.