Police are investigating all circumstances regarding the alleged kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl, who claims she was pulled over the boundary wall of her home on Skylark Road and taken by alleged kidnappers, at about 8pm on 1 August.
According to the mother of the victim, her daughter had been inside the yard when she was pulled over the boundary wall of their home by one male, then shoved into a vehicle, where she fought her assailants. She further alleges that the child kicked the driver of the vehicle in the head, causing him to lose control, allowing her to escape by jumping out of the moving car before hiding in a nearby bush until it was safe to summon help. Leeanne Naidoo, who lives in a flat near a local primary school, said the girl approached her for help while she was outside her home shortly after police dispersed an angry mob who were attacking a man who they suspected of raping a young boy from the area.
“She seemed in a state of shock. She had some grass and sand on her pants and I helped her dust herself and I recognised her from the area. She kept saying that she does not know where she lives and where she is, but I assured her that I know where she lived and that I would help her get home, but her brother fetched her moments later, as they had also been searching for her,” said Naidoo. The girl’s overwhelmed mother said she was inundated with messages on social media regarding the incident and said negative comments from those on social media indicating that her story was not legitimate and bore outstanding information was regretted. She also emphasised the importance of teaching young girls self-defence. Collin Chetty, Bayview SAPS Communications Officer, confirmed that a case of kidnapping was opened and is being investigated. He said the case is receiving priority due to the seriousness of the allegations and has been transferred to the Chatsworth Family Violence, Sexual Offences and Child Protection Unit for further investigations.
