POLOKWANE – Reports doing the rounds that the Moti children have been found are false, Mighty Tactical Reaction Services CEO Shaahid Valjie confirmed.
“Information currently doing the rounds on social media that the four children have been found, is not true. Nazim and Shakira Moti’s four sons are still being sought and we still appeal to the public to assist with any information that may help this investigation.”
Zidan (6), Zayyad (11), Alaan (13) and Zia (15) Moti were kidnapped at around 07:00 on their way to school.
According to Westenburg station commander, Lt Col Maimele Pilusa, the 64-year-old driver told police he was transporting the four boys from Nirvana to their school in Polokwane when the drivers of two vehicles blocked the BMW from the front and back on the Tzaneen bypass.
“It is alleged that seven men, all who were wearing white overalls, alighted from the vehicles and started firing shots at them. They then forced the four boys out of the vehicle and put them in their Mercedes-Benz and drove off in the direction of the R81. The driver was left on the scene with the vehicle.”
Read more: Kidnapping: Driver left behind; cops locate kids’ phones
He added that the signal from the children’s phones were last located in the area of Flora Park.
Valjie said that the getaway vehicles, a silver/grey/champagne-coloured Kia Sportage and a black Mercedes-Benz, with no number plates were last spotted on the R81 heading out of Polokwane.
“We are urgently requesting companies who have CCTV footage that may help in the investigation, to contact us on 076 712 1537.”
Police said a manhunt for the children and their kidnappers have been launched and the motive for the incident is not yet known.