Stop letting your children wander around
Watch your children like a hawk because I guarantee you, someone else is watching your children just as closely.
I write the crime stories for The Addie and while it’s not pleasant, I’ve learnt a whole lot about how criminals succeed simply because the opportunity was there.
What do I mean by this?
Well, criminals will always be on the lookout for easy targets, it’s up to you to prevent yourself or loved ones from becoming one.
For example, always make sure the person who is at home during the day knows if there are people coming to fix something.
Inform them of the time, company they are from and what exactly they are coming to fix.
Additionally, request that the company send you a reference number for the job to be done.
Also see: Woman gang-raped after kidnapping
When said company arrives at your house, request that they give the person at home this reference number and the house sitter must call you to double check the company name and reference number.
If they get any of those details wrong, don’t even open the gate for them.
The same goes for your children.
We are no longer living in the good old days where your children could walk to the corner shop and get ice cream.
Those days are long gone.
Watch your children like a hawk because I guarantee you, someone else is watching your children just as closely.
According to Missing Children South Africa, a child goes missing every five hours in this country.
If your child really is missing, you don’t have to wait 24 hours to report it to the police, do it immediately.
Time is of the essence and the first 24 hours are the most critical.
And no, children are not only going missing in the big cities and town.
Just as many children go missing in Springs and the surrounding areas.
These are the children who have gone mising in the past year alone: Siboniso Mogo, Amahle Thabethe, Ntokozo Ginya, Lesedi Setoki and Mikyala Koopman.
Children do not always realise they are putting themselves in danger.
Also see: Eleven-year-old goes missing in Skoonplaas
That’s the beauty of childhood, but also what makes it so easy for them to get kidnapped or injured.
It’s up to the parents to be extra vigilant around their children.
If it wasn’t unethical, I’d even go so far as to say chip them.
Capt Johannes Ramphora of the Springs Police Station says the department is flooded with cases of young children going missing, and some of it can be avoided.
“It is important for parents to know where their children are at all times.
“Do not let hours go by without checking on them.”
Ramphora admits some of the cases are due to children walking about.
“Sometimes children visit their friends or relatives without letting their parents know.
“The parents then assume the children have gone missing.
“If your child comes homes with a friend, please notify the friend’s parents or report to the nearest police station.”
Ultimately, as parents, the buck stops with you.
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