Woman tries to lure girl (7) with sweet promises of free DVDs
The parents of a 7-year-old girl had a shock over the weekend when their daughter was allegedly nearly lured into going home with a stranger at the Platinum Park shopping centre.
POLOKWANE – The parents of a 7-year-old girl had a shock over the weekend when their daughter was allegedly nearly lured into going home with a stranger at the Platinum Park shopping centre.
However, both the manager of the store where the incident allegedly occurred, and the manager of the shopping centre said no such incident was reported to them. Furthermore, Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, also said the incident had not been reported.
According to Quinton Lang and his wife, Marina, they were busy with their weekend shopping at the centre. The couple had finished shopping and were at the till when they told their daughter, Lani, that she could go and choose a DVD to watch. at The DVD Shop.
Their daughter later told them when she entered The DVD Shop, she was approached by a woman who asked her which DVD’s she liked and what her favourite colour was.
The woman reportedly told Lani that she had a large collection of children’s DVD’s at her home, which was near the shopping centre. She allegedly further said Lani should go with her immediately before her parents knew she was gone.
However, according to Lani’s parents, Lani remembered her parents’ warnings to be careful of strangers, and refused to leave.
Quinton said as he entered the store, a woman passed him. “I did not think much about the woman when she passed me on her way out and I was only alarmed after my daughter told me the story.
“I followed the woman outside and confronted her with what my daughter had told me.
“Instead of her responding, a man who was with her, intervened. The man said it was all a misunderstanding and they did not want any trouble. He and the woman left in a silver car,” Quinton said.
He said it was only then that he realised that his daughter could have been abducted.
The DVD Shop manager, Riaan Roux, said he had no knowledge of the incident and nothing was reported to them. “There is a camera in the store and we would have followed up on such an incident,” he said.
Platinum Park centre manager, Marius Pretorius, was also not aware of the incident. He also said the matter had not been reported.
“There are security personnel on duty and there are also cameras. I am always available. We communicate directly to the chief of the city’s police and have 24-hour contact through Whatsapp.”
According to Ramoshaba, no incidents like to this one had been reported to the police this year.
“One of the challenges of being a parent is teaching your children to be cautious without filling them with fear or anxiety. Although some dangers do exist, you can lessen the chances that your child will be abducted. It’s important to remember that most kids pass through childhood safely,” he said.
Other preventative measures include knowing where your children are at all times, teaching your children their names, addresses and parent’s telephone numbers, and teaching them how to call 10111 for help, Ramoshaba advised.
