This plea comes from the Cleveland SAPS after three children were reported missing within two days this month.
Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer, said police officers received a complaint about a child who went missing at the Mangolongolo Informal Settlement on August 16.
The two-year-old child was last seen with a man. She was apparently taken by force and was crying. Police officers, the induna and community members searched for her.
She was found the next day with a woman in her shack.
“The child was taken for a medical examination and was fine,” said Const Mashakane. A case of abduction was opened.
On August 17, two children aged 4 and 5, disappeared from their house in Tooronga Street, Malvern.
Their parents reported them missing and a search party went out to look for them.
The children were found at about 11pm near the Malvern Spar wandering around.
“Police are appealing to all parents to look after their children. When we conduct our patrols, we see several children playing on the streets late at night. Numerous cases that we receive are through child negligence. If you fail to look after your children, the law will take its course,” said Const Mashakane.
