An appeal has been sent out by South African Police Services for anyone with information to come forward, as several children have gone missing from the Zonnebloem area, near District Six, in the past two weeks.
“We regard abduction and other crimes in a serious light. Hence, we urge those with information about the above cited cases to report them immediately. It is our objective to investigate in order to bring the perpetrators to book,” Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said on Thursday.
The suspected abductions were brought to light after an anonymous district social worker sent an urgent notice to schools within Zonnebloem, warning parents to ensure that they pick up and drop off their children at school gates.
“Multiple cases have been reported to my office, of learners walking to and from school and being drugged and taken in a van/vehicle,” the district social worker wrote.
Speaking to News24, the Western Cape Education Department said that the notice in question was not mean to be widely distributed. The Department’s MEC, Debbie Schäfer, said that she has been made aware of the alleged abductions.
“I have received reports from our district officials that two separate incidents of abductions have reportedly taken place in the Zonnebloem area over the past two weeks. Learners are reportedly being targeted while traveling to and from school,” Schäfer said to Cape Times.
The police are working with other authorities to ensure the safety of pupils.
“We advise learners and parents to be vigilant at all times on their way to and from school. SAPS patrols and operations will continue in the area in an effort to ensure visibility,” Rwexana said.
SAPS were available for comment when asked how many children have been abducted.
This is a developing story.
Picture: Twitter
