missing children women kidnapping

Image credit: Pixabay/abeldelgado

Women and children in Gauteng are disappearing

The kidnapping of minors is on the rise in Gauteng, and nearly 600 women we reported as missing during 2017.

missing children women kidnapping

Image credit: Pixabay/abeldelgado

Three cases of kidnapping were reported to authorities on successive days this months, as reported by Penwell Dlamini from Sowetan Live. In all three cases, the kidnappers demanded ransom from the parents.

Five children kidnapped in three days

A 17-year-old boy went missing from Kromiet Street in Kempton Park on 1 December, and his parents were contacted shortly after his disappearance. Gauteng MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane confirmed that the kidnappers demanded R10,000 for the teen’s safe return. She added:

“Working closely with hostage negotiators, the family managed to pay an amount of R5,000 through an e-wallet transaction. The child was robbed of his cellphone and an amount of R450 before being dropped off in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. A case of kidnapping has been opened at Sebenza police station, and investigations are currently underway.”

Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane

The following day, a six-year-old boy was kidnapped from Midrand for a ransom of R15,000, and on 3 December, three boys – a nine-year-old and two eight-year-olds – were kidnapped from Clayville Ext 21. Their parents were forced to pay a ransom of R4,500 via e-wallet.

A case was opened, but no arrests have been made as yet. Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane said in a media briefing that a team of detectives are working the case and that her department “cannot fold [their] arms and allow criminals to instil fear in parents and deprive children of their rights to live and play freely in their communities.”

Parents and residents are urged to take extra care of their children, especially over the festive season.

Also read: 16 Days of Activism: City of Ekurhuleni unites with community against gender-based violence

More than 400 women still missing

During a budget vote presentation in July, Nkosi-Malobane also addressed the increase of women reported as missing. Out of the 597 cases from 2017, only 151 women had been found. She added that priority would be given to the cases:

 “The missing women are of different age categories. All the remaining cases of missing persons are being investigated until finalised.”

At the time, the Democratic Alliance said that the South African Police Service are not doing enough to locate the missing women. DA Gauteng MPL Kate Lorimer added:

“There is a dire need to ensure the safety of these most vulnerable members of society. These figures also indicate that the SAPS is not doing enough to find the missing women. The SAPS should be putting together specialised task teams that ensure that investigations are effective and expedited and that cases are shepherded through the courts to ensure convictions. Too often, vital investigative steps are not followed and accessing information through court applications takes too long.

Kate Lorimer

Also read: Courtney Pieters’ murder turns the spotlight on violence against women and children in South Africa

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