Kidnapping: 7 days later, still no sign of Moti brothers
The case is being treated as a sensitive, high-profile kidnapping case, with the Police Minister remaining hopeful that the Moti children will be found unharmed.
POLOKWANE – It has been a week since Zidan (6), Zayyad (11), Alaan (13) and Zia (15) Moti were abducted by a group of armed men on their way to school, and the agonising wait continues for the family.
Read more: Kidnapping: Driver left behind; cops locate kids’ phones
On Monday evening, Police minister Bheki Cele remarked that a multi-approach task team assembled by the national police commissioner is currently leading the search operation. Cele said even though this was a “difficult” case, they were making progress and he remained hopeful that the children will be found unharmed. The police have, since Thursday last week, been mum on any developments, only saying any details would at this point hamper the investigation.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/519100/moti-kidnapping-a-top-priority-says-police-minister/
In the meantime, specialist crime investigator Mike Bolhuis is also working on the case and was quoted as saying that the Moti case is treated as a high-level kidnapping.
Residents from across the country have gathered in several prayer sessions over the last few days to express their hope for the boys’ safe return.
Herewith a timeline that start on Thursday, the day after the kidnapping occurred:
Thursday (October 21)
Limpopo Social Development MEC, Nkakareng Rakgoale dispatches a team of social workers to the Moti family for psychosocial support, and this is also extended to Curro Heuwelkruin, where the children are schooled. Rakgoale and Community Safety MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya along with Premier Chupu Mathabatha visit the family on the day.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/518538/kidnapping-we-can-only-try-to-imagine-what-the-moti-family-is-going-through-mec/
Family lawyer Philip Smit says even though they believe the abduction will result in a ransom demand, no contact has been made yet and misinformation spreading through the community can compromise the investigation.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/518735/moti-family-keep-the-faith-readers-2/
Messages flood social media and news of the incident gains interest countrywide.
Friday (October 22)
After 48 hours since the kidnapping and still no word on the children, more than a hundred people gather at the Moti business premises in Nirvana to pray for
the family.
The gathering sees members of various faith-based groups come together to pray for the boys’ safe return.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/518714/polokwane-residents-gather-to-pray-for-moti-family/
The Moti family sends a message of thanks to one of their employees who attended the gathering, saying the effort was much appreciated.
Polokwane Mayor John Mpe sends a message of support to the family saying that they would work with law enforcement agencies to assist wherever they can to ensure the safe return of the Moti children. “We are saddened because children are our most precious gifts and their safety is our concern. We are on the side of the Moti family. We are praying for the children to be brought back alive and healthy.”
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/518664/video-polokwane-mayors-message-to-moti-family/
Saturday (October 23)
Capricorn District Municipality councillor Mabotse Mothiba calls for a mass walk starting at Piet Hugo Primary School to the park for a prayer service with pastors from various churches to pray for the communities and the safety of everyone.
Sunday (October 24)
The Muslim community recites a prayer for the return of the boys. The prayer is recited 14 000 times in one sitting as is customary. There is still no news on the return of the children, and the police state that the investigation is at a sensitive stage.
Monday (October 25)
Polokwane residents pledge to fast in prayer for the safe return of the Moti children. At this point it has been five days since their disappearance.
Tuesday (October 26)
No new developments in the investigation.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) media liaison officer Frans Swart erlier urged residents to refrain from making prank calls to the police or CPF with fake information on the children’s disappearance. “We have been receiving a lot of fake calls from children pretending to be kidnapped and older people offering information of the children’s disappearance. The only thing this does is to divert the much needed resources from the investigation. This is a problem because it makes our work difficult of distinguishing whether the information is real or not.”
Thus far, it is believed that no ransom demands have been made. Police continue to urge anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact their nearest police station or the investigating officer, Capt Rasedile, on 082 565 8566.
