A group of 30 schoolchildren fell victim to an alleged scam after travelling from Bloemfontein to the Bryanston area in minibuses for a football tournament.
Randburg Interim CPF chairperson Daryl Currie said that when the minibus drivers arrived on 25 September at their supposed destination, there was nothing relating to any youth football tournament to be found.
The drivers, not knowing what to do with the children for accommodation, suspected that something was amiss and drove with the children to the Randburg Police Station.
Currie added that Randburg Police Station Commander Brigadier Michelle Jones insisted that the police open the station as a safe shelter for the children for the evening.
He said, “An urgent call for assistance was sent out to the Randburg community to provide food for the children for the night. We received a great response from our Randburg community.”
After the appeal, local businesses joined in to make sure that the children had a hot meal and drinks for the night.
Currie said, “I would like to thank Charmaine Humphrey from The Northfern Residents Association and Celeste from the Bryanfern Residents Association for arranging a donation of food and beverages, as well as the Golden Harvest Church and the Ferndale Village SPAR.”
Arrangements were made to transport the children back to Bloemfontein in the same minibuses that they arrived in. “I would like to thank John Endres of the Bryanfern Residents Association for the cash donation which was used to fill one of the minibuses, as well as Glenda from the Engen garage on Oxford Road for her donation of one tank of fuel to the second minibus.”
The children are now on their way home to Bloemfontein.
Randburg Police Station spokesperson Captain Makgowanyana Maja said that no investigation to the incident has been opened at this stage.
Currie added, “In a time of need we have shown how strong we are as a community. We need to join hands and show greater strength in the fight against crime. Get involved in your local Community Police Forum (CPF) and residents associations. We are strong on our own but stronger together.”
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