Kidnapped Pretoria girls return home safely

The Gauteng Department of Education welcomed the safe return of two Grade 10 girl learners who were allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday.

The teenagers (aged 15 and 16) from Hoërskool Straatpresident C R Swart in Waverley were allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday afternoon in Mamelodi East when one of the learners visited the other and accompanied her to the local clinic, said Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona.

“As they made their way to the clinic, two unknown men driving a Mini Cooper approached them, allegedly forced them into the vehicle and coerced them into taking drugs,” he said.

“Once the girls were in a disoriented state after taking the drugs, the men drove with them to their homes and demanded that they steal laptops and cellphones for them. After doing this, the men drove the girls to a mall and they managed to escape.”

Due to the deranged state they were in and not knowing where they were, the girls ended up sleeping in a secluded area on the outskirts of the township.

Mabona said the girls sobered up the following morning and were assisted by residents in the area in finding their way home.

The matter was reported to the police for further invention.

He said the girls were scheduled to undergo a psychological and medical examination to treat any possible trauma or harm caused during this incident.

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Mabona said that the department was informed late afternoon yesterday on Wednesday that another grade 8 girl learner from Hoërskool Straatpresident C R Swart allegedly went missing two weeks ago.

“It is alleged that the learner went missing on Wednesday, November 3. This was reported by her mother who was contacted by the school on Monday, November 8, asking about the learner’s absenteeism. The mother informed the school that her daughter allegedly left saying she will be visiting a friend and has never returned home since,” he said.

This matter has been reported to local police authorities who are currently investigating the whereabouts of the learner.

“We welcome the safe return of the two learners and we commit to providing them with all the support they need after the harrowing incident. We also strongly remain hopeful for the safe return of other learners who sadly went missing this month,” Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi said.

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