WATCH: #HelpFindLee: Community joins hands in search for Lee
'Lee will always be remembered, we have all grown to love him'
In an attempt to find the missing three-year-old Liyaqat ‘Lee’ Mentoor, more than 200 people joined hands to search for him.
The search was organised by the police, who were joined by community members, various security companies, block watches, Community Policing Forums (CPF), Emergency Management Services (EMS), K9 units and the mounted unit.
“We were very happy with the turnout as well as the cooperation between everyone who attended today. It just shows that, together, we can make a difference,” said Captain Sonja Prinsloo, Roodepoort police spokesperson.
Read more here: #HelpFindLee: WATCH: Family’s heartbroken plea for Lee’s Safe return
Here you can see the scale of the operation:
https://www.facebook.com/wtpascoe/videos/1775921972446190/
The searchers were divided into three different groups which were assigned a specific area to search. Areas that were searched included Roodekrans, Helderkruin, Wilro Park and Krugersdorp. The search parties were instructed to look out for anything that might belong to a three-year-old, including clothing, toys or a backpack, as well as to look out for anything that might look like a shallow grave or strange smells.
“Unfortunately, the search did not turn up anything, and Lee is still missing, but, that does not mean we will stop searching. We will continue our efforts until Lee is found, and we can provide answers, not only to his family, but to the community as well,” Prinsloo said.
Also Read: #HelpFindLee WATCH: Search still on for missing three-year-old
Estelle Delport, the family representative, said that they were overwhelmed by the community response and support they have received since Lee’s disappearance on 16 March. “It was amazing that so many people came out and gave of their time, but it was also very frustrating after the search, knowing we did not find anything. However it also gave us hope, that, if we did not find anything, there is still a 50 per cent chance of us finding him alive,” she said.
Delport added that, as a family, they are experiencing so many mixed emotions, they are sad, angry and frustrated, because they do not have the answers they want. “We are crying a lot, and Kaylah is broken, unsure, angry, does not know what to think and is hurting.
The accused will be appearing in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court again today 24 April to apply for bail. “All we want is for the accused to tell us what he knows, and give us the answers we need. He needs to tell us where we can find Lee, it is heartbreaking to know that the answers are not being given to us. We only want Lee back,” Delport said.
She concluded by thanking the community for all their support and said, “Without all the support, we would not have been able to keep going. We appreciate it so much.”
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