Teenage boy abducted near Spine Road High, released unharmed
GRATEFUL Portland resident Chantel Ernstzen and her 14-year-old son Seth, who was forced into a vehicle near his school by two unknown men on Monday, June 2.
Image: Supplied
A Portland mother has urged teenagers to be vigilant on their way to school after her 14-year-old son was abducted in front of a tuck shop in Spine Road just after 7.30am on Monday, June 2.
The boy was later released unharmed along Baden Powell Drive, on the outskirts of Khayelitsha.
Chantel Ernstzen said her son Seth, who is in Grade 8 at Spine Road High, was dropped in front of the school in Merrydale Road by his transport around 7.30am.
He then walked to the tuck shop in Spine Road to buy some bubblegum.
According to Mitchell's Plain police chief, Brigadier Brian Muller, a car with two unknown men pulled up beside him. "The occupants forced him into it," he said.
Ms Ernstzen said one of the alleged culprits, who was next to Seth on the backseat, started asking him for money and other valuables. "When they realised that Seth had no valuables, the one guy insisted he take off his shoes. Seth refused. The man tried to remove his shoes but then he and the driver started arguing in another language.
A 14-year-old Spine Road High pupil was abducted near his school and released unharmed along Baden Powell Drive on the outskirts of Khayelitsha on Monday, June 2.
Image: File Image
"The driver just stopped the car and the other one pushed him out. When Seth got up, he just ran for his life. He didn’t know where he was," she said.
Ms Ernstzen said a motorist, who works at CCFM radio station in Muizenberg, came to Seth's aid while he was walking along Baden Powell. She reached out to his mother and school.
Ms Ernstzen said her son has since returned to school and is receiving counselling. Cautioning parents and children, she said:
"I just want to make parents aware of the dangers. As parents, we can be naïve to think that something like this will never happen to us or our children. Our kids need to be more alert and aware of their surroundings," she said.
Brigadier Muller advised parents and school transport providers to ensure that their children enter the school premises when dropped off.
"In the absence of a cellphone, get your child a smart tag tracking device such as Apple's AirTag, which he or she can carry on his or her person or backpack. Parents can then monitor the movement of their child," he said.