Abductions rumours flare up
Social media was abuzz on Friday afternoon after another abduction rumour involving a popular family restaurant surfaced.
A persisting urban legend about children being abducted from Spur playing areas has the restaurant chain at its wits end.
Chief operating officer Mark Farrelly said these stories were untrue, groundless and mischievous.
“We have heard this rumour before. But just as it surfaced years ago without grounds, it remains groundless.”
Reports about several apparent abduction attempts in and around Pretoria the past few weeks appear to have sparked a repeat of the rumour about the so-called Spur abductions.
Some users of social media have gone as far as suggesting that waiters at the Spur are actually being paid to distract patrons while their children are being abducted.
Parents are then warned never to leave their children unattended.
Farelly said Spur prided itself on being a thriving service provider with competent managers at all its branches.
Play areas had been uniquely placed in spots where parent were able to keep an eye on their children.
The existence of paedophiles was a fact, but Farrelly said they could be found anywhere. The association with Spur was unfortunate.
Farrelly said no child organisation had approached Spur, suggesting that it had been involved in any child kidnapping incident.
The recent string of apparent abduction attempts involving children in Pretoria, has prompted Rekord and other community role players to launched a #KeepPTAKidssafe campaign.
Visit Rekord for more details on the initiative.
Also read:
More attempted child kidnappings
Three-year-old almost snatched from mother’s arms
How to keep your children safe
Eight-week-old baby almost taken from mother
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 072 435 7717.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update
