BOPHELONG. – A three-year-old toddler narrowly escaped a horrifying ordeal of attempted kidnapping and rape in Bophelong over the weekend, thanks to the timely intervention of a vigilant security guard.
The incident unfolded when three teenage boys allegedly abducted the young girl from her home and took her into the nearby bushes.
The motive behind this heinous act remains uncertain, but what is clear is the heroism displayed by the security guard who prevented a potential tragedy.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster anonymously, the guard who was on his way to work said he stumbled upon the distressing scene in the bushes outside extension 16. Upon noticing the trio with the toddler, he wasted no time in taking action.
“We live in a dangerous community where we are constantly ambushed and robbed. When I saw the trio carrying the girl into the bushes, my instincts kicked in,” he said.
Without hesitation, the security guard raced towards the scene, confronting the teenage boys and demanding they release the young girl. Startled by his sudden arrival, the perpetrators dropped the toddler and fled the area.
“I knew I had to act swiftly to prevent any harm from befalling her. Just when I approached the trio, they opted to drop the child and run away,” he said.
The guard left the child in the safe hands of his wife who then alerted the community WhatsApp group on the incident.
Ster spoke to some residents who live close to the abandoned building in the nearby bushes.
Nthabiseng Dlamini (34) said, “We are deeply disturbed by what happened, but we are grateful to the security guard who saved the little girl.”
“It’s a wake-up call for all of us to be more watchful and proactive in safeguarding our children,” she said.
