Be vigilant over your children’s safety

ALBERTON- Mother of two, Adeel Landsman*, went shopping at the Verwoerdpark SPAR on Monday, November 23, when she overheard two young children, claiming they were being followed, seeking help from a security guard outside the SPAR.

“As I walked past I heard the little girl say that someone had been following her and her brother inside the SPAR. I waited until they were finished and called the children. The girl said that a man had followed them everywhere in the SPAR and asked where they lived. They were clearly very shaken by the incident but very brave to ask for help,” said Adeel.

Also read: Man suspected of kidnapping caught

The security guard, who wishes not to be named, said he confronted the man and asked him what was going on. “He said he was only joking with the children. I told him to apologise to them and then I told him to leave the premises.”

Adeel went into the SPAR and notified the manager who alerted the employees to be on the lookout. “The girl was about 10 and her brother about eight. They came to the store on their bicycles. I then offered to escort them home. I encourage families to become more vigilant when it comes to their children’s safety. In recent times we have heard about so many attempted abductions. I often see little children walk across the open field in front of our flats. This is not the time to relax but to take even more care than usual,” explained Adeel.

Theuns de Lange, a manager at the Verwoerdpark SPAR, said they are working through the surveillance tapes at this time and if they have any concrete evidence they will report the matter to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).

The EMPD responded and said that they will act on the matter should SPAR provide them with the necessary video proof.

De Lange assured the public that they have the CPF and the police on speed dial and said they encourage shoppers to report any suspicious behaviour immediately.

*Not her real name