THE Pinetown Boys High School has increased its security measures following a traumatic kidnapping incident of one of its learners on Friday, April 24.

The police have confirmed that the learner was released on the same day “unharmed”.

The incident has prompted the school to up its security measures, and urge parents to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to the dropping off and fetching of their children.

The learner was reportedly abducted a few hundred metres away from the school after school hours at around 15:00, and bundled into a white VW Polo.

It is alleged that a ransom for his release was demanded. KZN SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, confirmed that the learner was released after the ransom was paid.

It is reported that the learner was later released that evening at around 19:00, with no visible injuries, but was left severely traumatised, along with members of his family.

The school’s principal, Sunil Singh, said security cameras with licence plate recognition technology are being added and that the school’s security personnel is being beefed up.

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“We are allowing parents to park inside the school premises when dropping off or picking up their children,” said Singh.

The principal advised parents to urge their children to wait inside the school premises for their transport, and to avoid wandering off far from the school while waiting for their transportation.

He further urged parents to be mindful of the transportation used by their children and ensure that it drops and picks them up at the school gate.

“Some parents are fetching their children as late as 19:00 and that is placing their children at risk. We are appealing to parents to please fetch their boys at the latest 15:15, failing which, they must make arrangements to ensure their child’s safety,” said the principal.

Magwaza confirmed that the police in Pinetown are investigating a case of kidnapping following the incident.

“It is reported that a 16-year-old learner was standing outside the school when unknown men forced him into their car. It is further reported that he was later released unharmed after ransom money was paid,” said Magwaza.

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