Two girls evade suspected kidnappers in Kempton
“I was beyond relieved when I saw my daughter. I was obviously confused but happy that she was safe."
A normal school day almost ended in tragedy for an eight-year-old Kempton girl on October 24 when she escaped an attempted kidnapping.
ALSO READ: Anti-kidnapping guide for parents and children
What unfolded in just 55-minutes felt like a lifetime for the eight-year-old’s mom, Viola*.
She said she arrived at the school to collect her daughter and 13-year-old son.
When she only saw her son, Viola asked if he had seen his sister and he said that he hadn’t.
Viola told her son to put his school bag in the car and to search for his sister inside the school grounds.
“When we couldn’t find her, we went to the school office to report that she was missing.”
Together with the school’s receptionist and a teacher, the adults searched for the missing girl on the school premises.
Viola also made contact with Sergeant Barbara-Anne Ferreira, spokesperson for Norkem Park SAPS, to inform her that she couldn’t find her daughter and didn’t know what to do.
Little did they know that during this time, the young girl was doing her best to get away from her alleged kidnappers.
It is believed that the girl was lost in thought when she left the school grounds and began to walk home.
“It’s not something she would normally do,” said Viola.
ALSO READ: Child kidnapping prevention tips for all ages
The girl told her mother that when she realised what had happened she tried to turn back towards the school, but saw there was a man following her.
“At this point, she thought it would be better to go home and hoped she would find the landlord, but there was no one at the house.
“She saw that the man was still following her and decided to head towards her younger sister’s preschool near the house.”
Viola said her daughter then noticed that a car was also following her.
“My daughter said she started walking faster, hoping to make it to her sister’s school,” she said.
ALSO READ: Two sentenced to 25 years for murder and kidnapping
An aftercare teacher at the preschool saw the young girl and realised something was wrong.
“The teacher, who also transports children, knows my children and knows that I fetch them from school,” said Viola.
“When she saw my daughter, she rushed to pick her up. The teacher then saw the man get into the vehicle that was following my daughter before it sped off.”
The aftercare teacher dropped Viola’s daughter at the school office where police were waiting.
“I was beyond relieved when I saw my daughter. I was obviously confused but happy that she was safe,” said Viola.
Ferreira confirmed that they are aware of the incident.
“A case of attempted kidnapping is under investigation and an Information Book (IB) has been entered,” said Ferreira.
“According to the woman who picked up the child, there were three other men inside the vehicle that was allegedly following the eight-year-old.
“The description of these alleged suspects is similar to that of another attempted kidnapping incident, which occurred near another school in Kempton Park.
“In this incident, on October 21, a girl child was waiting for her older brother outside the school gate.
“It is believed that a man grabbed the child by the hand, but her brother had arrived and saw the man grabbing his sister.
He quickly grabbed his sister and freed her from the man’s grip. The man got into a Toyota Corolla and sped off.
“Three other men were also allegedly inside the car.”
Ferreira said although the vehicle descriptions are different it seems to be the same four men.
ALSO READ: Keep children safe from kidnapping
“The child told a teacher what had happened and the school called the police station.
“No case was opened, but there was an IB entry which also helps police know where to focus patrols.
“We urge parents and guardians not to panic but to always be aware and careful to ensure the safety of the children in their care.”
Viola also told Express that the decision to share the ordeal is to raise awareness and alert parents.
Viola’s daughter is receiving counselling to help her deal with and process her ordeal.
*Not her real name.
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