Last week, the attempted abduction of a 12-year-old student occurred outside Habibia Primary School in Rylands. This is the latest incident in a string of student abductions that have occurred mainly in Zonnebloem.
Speaking to EWN, police said that the pupil was approached by three unidentified men, but managed to escape after screaming for help. The incident occurred just outside the school premises.
Over the past few weeks, at least two children have been reported missing in the Zonnebloem area. The children, aged 11 and 18 years old, were allegedly drugged and abducted in a span of two weeks.
“The police in the Western Cape have noted reports of a series of child abductions that took place in the past two weeks in the Zonnebloem area,” said Captain FC Van Wyk, spokesperson for South African Police Services (SAPS). “In addition, we are in constant communication with schools in the province as part of our policing initiatives patrols are held around schools in the Cape Town area, including Zonnebloem.”
Van Wyk added that SAPS is also working with Traffic Services to ensure that students make to way to and from school safely.
“We regard abductions and other crimes in a serious light. Hence we urge those with information about the above cited cases to report them immediately. It is our objective to investigate in order to bring the perpetrators to book,” he added.
Van Wyk also advised learners and parents to be vigilant at all times on their way to and from school.
SAPS will continue patrols and operations in the area to ensure high visibility until the perpetrators are apprehended.
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