Shireen Essop’s face had been shared all over the internet since she was reported missing on 23 May. 11 June saw her reunited with her family – but not thanks to the police she reportedly asked for help.
Social media users have been singing the praises of Klipfontein’s neighbourhood watch members, who were pivotal in getting Shireen home.
According to a video interview by IOL, the neighbourhood watch members were helping another woman when Shireen was spotted, reportedly trying to get help from police officers at the BP petrol station on Klipfontein extension road.
The Klipfontein NHW member Dean Esau recalled overhearing Essop ask a police officer to use their phone to call her husband as she’d been kidnapped, but she was ignored, as per eNCA.
Esau went over to assist, and after identifying the woman as Essop, fellow NHW member Dale Solomons gave her his phone to make the call home. The men alongside another NHW member, Rachel Stemmet and others have been deemed by social media as the Good Samaritans who gave Essop comfort and support until her husband reached her, while the police seemingly turned away the opportunity to assist.
While the details of Essop’s kidnapping remains murky, multiple reports indicate that she was let go by her kidnappers who had held her hostage in Khayelitsha. IOL reports that a source claims that a ransom was paid, but that Essop wasn’t the intended person. Her case is undergoing investigation.
Her family has given a statement of thanks to the public and asked that we continue to make duah for her full recovery.
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Picture: Faizal Stayed