UPDATE:
According to a Facebook community group, members of the Athlone community have given the police the weekend to provide an update on their investigation into the kidnapping of eight-year-old Abirah Dekhta.
If the police fail to do so, Athlone community members have warned of further protest action on Monday.
It has been reported by a representative of the Pakistani community, Ramzan Mia, that Abirah’s mother is not eating due to distress over her child’s survival. Her father is said to be in a bad state as well.
UPDATE:
The peaceful protest has dispersed and members of the community have started leaving the area.
But Capetonians are angry and made their plea for more urgency known.
Many parents were involved in the gathering this evening, and made it clear that they do not feel that their children are safe.
Today marks one week since 8-year-old Abirah Dekhta was kidnapped outside her home in Gatesville, Athlone.
There’s a protest currently underway in Athlone. Community members have gathered outside the police station and taken to the streets, demanding justice.
Groups have congregated with signs, photos of Abirah Dekhta and are chanting. “We want justice” is being roared from the streets. Police are at the scene and some roads near the station have been blocked.
Roads near Athole @SAPoliceService in Cape Town are blocked: Protestors have taken to the streets following the kidnapping of a young girl last week. pic.twitter.com/3zRejXcSW8
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 11, 2022
The young girl was taken out of a vehicle in Amber Court by two armed men at approximately 7.20 am on 4 November.
Cape {town} Etc has reached out to the SAPS for comment and is pending a response.
Also read:
Picture: Aslam Toefy / TikTok / Live