Kidnappers attempt to snatch girl in Malalane
The possible kidnapping of a learner near Laerskool Malelane on Tuesday afternoon has put parents and children on guard.
MALALANE – A little girl was reportedly heading home from Laerskool Malelane on Tuesday when a yellow Hyundai Atos without number plates approached her.
She got a fright but kept a cool head and ran into a nearby yard to escape. The vehicle sped off.
A message relating the incident and a parent urging others to teach their children safety rules and be extra vigilant was spread on WhatsApp.
On Wednesday morning, Sgt Bheki Nkosi of Malelane SAPS said that the incident had not been reported to them. He urged parents to report any such cases to enable police to react accordingly and take extra measures to safeguard potential victims.
In May this year, a pupil of Komatipoort Akademie also had to flee a stranger who tried to lure her into his vehicle.
She ended up running through town to somewhere safe.
READ: Make sure your kids know how to stay safe
In Malalane there have also been incidents of children, mostly girls, being photographed, observed or followed while going about their business in town.
As Nkomazi is a hot spot for human trafficking, residents are urged to keep a close eye on their children at all times and ensure that they know what to do in case of an attempted kidnapping.
READ: Learners taught how to avoid human trafficking traps
Schools are urged to ensure that children are safe when being picked up and dropped off at school and that security measures are in place to ensure that access to the premises is monitored and appropriately restricted.
Some of the SAPS’ top child safety tips are:
• Ensure children walk home in a group using busy but safe routes, avoiding vacant properties or neglected parks.
• Children should wait inside the school or at the school gate for the adult picking them up.
• Ensure that your children know only a select few adults are allowed to pick them up. Teach children a codeword and give it to the person picking them up as an extra safety measure.
• Never talk to strangers, get close or in a strange car or accept a gift from a stranger.
If a suspicious person or vehicle is spotted hanging around, it should be reported to the school, local security company or police for investigation.
