By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Western Cape police have confirmed that an abducted six-year-old boy has been reunited with his family.
Shanawaaz Asghar was snatched in the driveway of his home by six men and forced into a silver VW polo just before 8.00 am on Wednesday morning.
Police are yet to release any further details.
The family spokesperson and Chairperson of the Hidayatul Islam Primary School governing body, Dawood Essack, said Asghar is “both mentally and physically fine.”
Two getaway cars were identified fleeing the scene with the six men – three of which were reportedly armed.
The boy is in Grade R at the Hidayatul Islam Primary School.
National coordinator for Missing Children South Africa, Bianca van Aswegen, says incidents of opportunistic kidnapping are escalating “daily” in South Africa.
She also says there has been a rise in kidnappings for ransom and human trafficking since the national lockdown in 2020 due to poverty and job loss.
Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen said the fourth quarter crime statistics showed that kidnappings have increased by 16 more cases or 8.3% when compared to the same period of the previous year.
Police launched a manhunt for six suspects. and It is unclear whether any arrests have been made at this stage.