Kidnapping: ‘Rumours will compromise situation’

POLOKWANE – The Moti family’s legal representative, 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.

“I am not aware of any ransom request. If there was one, I would be informed,” he told Review on Thursday morning. 

Rumours regarding possible ransom demands were abound on social media.

Smit is quoted to have told Jacaranda FM earlier that the family has reason to believe kidnappers will in time make contact and that the four boys will be found safe.

https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/518443/kidnapping-moti-family-appeals-to-the-public-to-assist/

“No contact has been made with the family yet so we do not know what the plan is, but we suspect it is a type of a ransom situation. That’s all we can think of at this stage.”

It has now been more than 24 hours since a group of armed men forcefully took Zidan (6), Zayyad (11), Alaan (13) and Zia (15) Moti from the vehicle in which they were being driven to school.

Read more: Kidnapping: Driver left behind; cops locate kids’ phones

This morning, police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that the children have not been located yet. “We have established a multi-faceted team of investigators and other role players with the relevant expertise to handle such a case. This team is led by the deputy provincial commissioner responsible for crime detection, Major General Samuel Manala.”

The Moti family’s agonising wait continues as a source close to the investigation yesterday evening unofficially confirmed that leads are being followed up about the children possibly having been driven to another province, but due to the sensitivity of the investigation more information cannot be made public.

https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/518443/kidnapping-moti-family-appeals-to-the-public-to-assist/