UPDATE: #HelpFindLee: ‘We are incomplete without him’
'We will not stop looking for Lee'
It has been more than three weeks since three-year-old Liyaqat ‘Lee’ Mentoor went missing, and his family is nearing breaking point.
It is alleged that Lee was abducted by a couple in a silver Volkswagen Polo, when he was dropped off at his grandmother’s house by his mother’s boyfriend on 16 March. The couple claimed to be related to Lee.
“Almost three weeks and we have not found our baby – we are incomplete without him in our lives. It has not been the easiest journey, however it has been a humbling one,” said Estelle Delport, the family representative.
She confirmed that, although the police have not found anything concrete yet, they were still actively searching and investigating, and said, “They have been working around the clock, and are following up on every lead – no matter how small. We are urging anyone who has seen something, or knows something about the circumstances surrounding Lee’s disappearance, to come forward. He is only three years old – it could have been your baby.”
Also Read: #HelpFindLee WATCH: Search still on for missing three-year-old
Captain Sonja Prinsloo, spokesperson for the Roodepoort police confirmed that they were still treating the case as a priority and said, “Even though the leads we have received so far have not yielded any results, we are not giving up. Our investigation into Lee’s disappearance is a top priority, and we are treating it as such. We have expanded our search area to include Krugersdorp and the botanical gardens, and we will be joined by a team from the provincial war-room, who will assist us with the search. We will not stop until we are able to provide the family – and community – with answers.”
Lee is slender, with dark brown hair and eyes, and a birthmark on his chest. When last seen, he was wearing a thick grey winter jacket, a red top, black tracksuit pants and black rubber boots with white soles.
Lee’s mother’s boyfriend has been arrested on a charge of child neglect, and is still in custody, awaiting an opportunity to apply for bail. He will be appearing in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court again on 11 April.
Delport concluded with the following words, “I promise you, Lee, we will find you. You will be safely in your mother’s arms once again. Lord, I pray, please help me to keep this promise.”
If anyone has any information at all, please contact Wendy on 064 648 1577, Priya on 076 681 5838 or Faaiza on 083 358 9472.
Alternatively, contact the Johannesburg West FCS unit on 060 502 0695 or Captain Pretorius on 082 447 3984, the Roodepoort Police on 011 279 6400 or the Pink Ladies on 072 214 7439, 083 378 4882 or 072 620 7704.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
