Wentworth mom saves daughter from kidnapping
Parents are urged to not let children walk alone or unattended to school and back.
POLICE have praised the heroic save of a mother who fought kidnappers so they would release her 12-year-old daughter, who was grabbed while she was on her way to school.
On the day of the incident, the woman had crossed the busy Basil February Road with her two daughters, as they do every morning.
Also read: Young men charged for kidnapping and robbing doctor
But that morning, when she crossed and was on her way back home, she heard the screams of her youngest daughter. When she looked back, her daughter ran to her and told her that strange men were pulling her older sister into a minibus.
According to reports at Wentworth Police Station, every morning, the woman crosses with her children and leaves them to walk the rest of the short journey to school.
Spokesperson for the Wentworth police station, Captain Mbuso Gumede, said the attempted kidnapping involved four men travelling in a Toyota Hiace and white Hyundai i10.
“The mom ran to where the suspects were and saw the men trying to force the child into the vehicle. She fought with them and hit one suspect with her cellphone. They must have realised that the mom was being relentless, and they let go of the child and drove off.
“Registration numbers of the vehicles are unknown. A case of attempted kidnapping is being investigated by Wentworth detectives,” said Gumede.
Safety tips from Wentworth police:
• Parents must be vigilant. Don’t allow children to walk unattended or alone to school and back.
• Children should be accompanied by an adult or guardian if no safe school transport is available.
• You should know the contact details and identification of the scholar transport.
• Children must be taught the contact number of their parents in case of emergency.
• Schools should teach awareness to children.
• Don’t take anything or gifts from unknown people.
• If you feel unsafe, raise an alarm. Scream or try to stop vehicles or pedestrians walking by.
• Be observant and take down a description or the registration number of the attackers.
• Do not talk to strangers. Rather run away.
• Don’t walk alone – walk in groups to avoid being a victim. If you’re alone, you’re an easy target.
• Cellphones can be used to take photos of suspicious vehicles or people, which can then be given to the teachers or parents.
• Those who miss their transport can come to Wentworth Police Station for assistance. We will help them contact their parents.
• Make sure that your children walk straight home and don’t take any other routes home.
• Adhere to school times, go straight home after school and go timeously to school.
• Don’t be on your cellphone while walking. It’s distracting and also attracts crime.
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