Premier Sefora Ntombela has made a plea to the parents to ensure that their children are safe at all times.
This follows disturbing reports of an attempt to abduct a child at a school in Bloemfontein recently. The Premier said she is extremely disturbed by worrying reports of unknown individuals targeting children for what is feared to be child trafficking.
A suspect was arrested last week, after a daring attempt to abduct a little girl at a restaurant in Florida, Gauteng province. Fortunately, the quick thinking restaurant manager managed to stop the suspected abductor. Following the reported attempt at the school in Bloemfontein, Premier Ntombela said she was concerned that this was now becoming a trend and added that criminals have now seemingly set their eyes on the children of Bloemfontein.
“I have been made aware of an attempt to abduct a child at a school in Bloemfontein. I am extremely worried because defenseless children are at the mercy of heartless criminals. I am therefore asking parents to ensure that their children are safe at all times. These are worrying reports and must not be taken lightly. We live in a world where horrific things are done to children, therefore we must never let our guard down,” Premier Ntombela.
She added that she will engage Member of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Police, Roads and Transport, Sam Mashinini and senior members of the South African Police Service to see how best they can prevent attacks before they happen. The Premier also encouraged parents to accompany their children to school, keep an eye on children at all times, particularly at crowded areas and also made a call to young people to travel in groups.
“We must be vigilant at all times. I also wish to warn child abductors that the law will deal harshly with them because an attack on our children is an attack on all of us,” said Premier Ntombela.
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