Man takes child at mall

An emotional WhatsApp message has had Ballito mothers in a panic since it was broadcast on Monday evening.

The message, which had done several rounds before it reached the Courier, relayed an incident at the Ballito Junction in which a Ballito woman claimed that a man attempted to kidnap her child.

“The man picked up my child and continued to walk away from me. The man was inebriated so I cannot be certain of his intentions but it was terrifying none the less,” said the mother, who asked not to be named.

Responding in a press statement Broll managing agents portfolio manager Ronica Inarman said as a community and family centre the Junction understands the potential seriousness of the incident.

“Video footage was scrutinised by Ballito Junction security and it was discovered that while the suspect appeared to be slightly inebriated, and his actions were inappropriate in that he did pick up the child, there was no intention of causing harm.”

The statement said the man is a regular shopper and that “he was very upset by the allegations”.

“He agrees that his action was inappropriate and has apologised to the complainant as well as Ballito Junction management,” said Inarman.

She said centre security would continue to monitor inappropriate behaviour, which is not tolerated at the centre.

The mother however said that she has not received any apology from the man responsible.