Parents are urged to remain vigilant of kidnapping as schools reopen. [Picture: Anadolu Agency]
With the holiday season now over, attention turns to children returning back to school this week. While it is a milestone for many students who will start a new chapter, parents have been urged to remain vigilant as the risk of kidnapping looms large.
Speaking in an interview on Salaamedia, Khaya Zote, project manager at Tyeks Security Services, kidnapping incidents can occur outside school premises if parents are not vigilant.
He pointed to several incidents in Johannesburg and Cape Town since 2020, including one in which an eight-year-old girl was abducted and found just before she could be taken into neighbouring Lesotho.
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Syndicates targeting children
Amidst the ongoing spate of kidnappings in South Africa, particularly of businessmen, children are not spared either. Zote said kidnapping syndicates were particularly fond of children belonging to affluent families.
“These syndicates normally target affluent families, either for ransom or settling of personal matters. We urge each and every parent to be vigilant at this time of the year. These things are really happening,” he said.
He added that there were not just syndicates targeting children, but, in some cases, the threat came from familiar individuals.
“Some of the kids will be kidnapped by a person that is known to the family … especially in divorce cases, where the child is going to be given to a certain parent in the divorce settlement”.
On Monday, the Western Cape department of education said it was prepared for the year ahead, despite several challenges standing in the way. Learners across the country will on Wednesday return to school after the summer break.
“I think that we are as prepared as we can be despite this financial year being a very challenging financial year with the department absorbing a R700 million budget cut and also experiencing significant budget uncertainty for at least six months of the year,” said WC education MEC David Maynier.
Among other tips, Zote cautioned parents against “putting their kids’ information on social media because it makes them easy targets”. Listen to the full interview with Julie Allie on News & Views to hear his safety tips.
