Cape Town – “I’m so delighted that the Klipfontein Neighbourhood Watch, at 2am on that particular morning, came across Shireen and they were able to help her in order to get her to her family. It’s so important that once we have active neighbourhood watchers that are involved in the community, that are patrolling and doing it to such an extent that it’s 2a.m in the morning. I am deeply pleased by that.”
After almost four weeks of being in captivity, Shireen Essop was released. Members of The Klipfontein Mission Station Neighbourhood Watch recognised a traumatised Essop, who was left on a roadside by her alleged kidnappers.
Essop’s picture has been widely shared on social media in an attempt to find her. She was spotted outside a BP garage by the neighbourhood watch who recognised her from the online pictures. Reagen Allen, MEC Police Oversight & Community Safety in the Western Cape Government, thanked the neighbourhood watch for reuniting Essop with her family.
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More can be achieved when the community and police work together
Crime is at an all-time high. From petty crimes to kidnappings, things are getting even more dangerous for citizens. It is now imperative for the community and police to come together to build a relationship and help each other, said Allen.
“When the government, together with the South African Police Service, together with law enforcement and neighbourhood watchers and CPFs and NGOs can work together in order to create a safer province and safer communities for everyone. I am deeply delighted at this.”
Allen is aware that it takes time for community members to trust the government and the police. However, as time goes on, he has seen many relationships built between members of the public and law enforcement.
“I’m also fully aware that we have a long way to go in terms of crime, but we have made strides in terms of fostering relationships here with the South African Police Service but also seeing what we do as a department of police oversight and community safety. This is a good news story that I think will reverberate not only in the Western Cape but across South Africa that there is hope. We’ve seen how people can come together, work together in order to help, and assist and Essop is reunited with her family.”
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Was Essop the target
When the Klipfontein Neighbourhood Watch found Essop she told them that the kidnappers released her because she was not the target. However, there are claims a ransom was paid. Allen appealed to the public not to spread unverified information and to allow the police to investigate the matter properly.
“With regard to the comment, I think we must allow the police service to ultimately investigate and to conclude this particular matter. We are allowing the South African Police Service to ultimately conduct the investigation. I do note that on social media there are people that are spreading certain information and without that being verified and without it being investigated properly. I humbly request that residents should refrain from making these allegations.”
Police are currently investigating the kidnapping. Although it is in its early stages, police know that Essop was held captive somewhere in Khayelitsha.
