Two boys from Oval North High School were targeted in an attempted kidnapping. Principal Nazeem Jacobs spoke to the Plainsman on Monday March 11 and said the boys were shaken by the ordeal.
Oval North High School principal Nazeem Jacobs says two of their pupils are shaken after alleged kidnapping attempts.
In one incident, a Grade 12 pupil on his way to school alone on Tuesday February 27 was allegedly grabbed by three men in a white Avanza without a licence plate. The vehicle pulled up next to him in Alpine Street, Beacon Valley, said Mr Jacobs.
The boy fought off the three men and ran to school.
Police came to the school after the school security stopped them. Police said the boy needs to open a case. “We want the police to be aware so that they can be visible in the area,” said Mr Jacobs.
The Grade 12 pupil from Tafelsig now walks to school with his grandfather. He did not wish to speak but confirmed the incident took place.
His mother, who does not want to be named, said it was a shock to learn what happened to her son.
“I got a call from my sister-in-law to ask if my son was okay, followed by a call from the secretary to explain what happened. I’m in contact with the school and the social worker,” she said.
The police took their statements at their home, she said.
“We need more police visibility especially in the morning. The walking bus members are visible to us. Sometimes we do fear sending our children to school as gang violence does affect us. We do worry about their safety,” she said.
On Thursday February 29, another incident took place when two brothers, in Grade 9 and Grade 12, were walking to school.
The Grade 9 boy stopped to tie his shoe laces as the older brother walked ahead of him. A man called out the Grade 9 boy’s name, and took a picture of him. The man then ran through a road into a white vehicle. He was one of three men in the car, and they fled the scene. The brothers ran to school, said their mother, who does not want to be named.
After school on the same day the boy and his friend spotted a gold vehicle with tinted windows taking pictures of the grade 9 boy.
The next day Friday March 1, the boys spotted a black vehicle with tinted windows, that followed them to the next road close to their home. The grade 9 pupil is undergoing counselling. They travel to school with their grandfather, she said.
“We told the parents to get a case number so that police can have it on record,” said Mr Jacobs.
He sent out a letter on Monday March 4 to warn parents and pupils.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed the attempted kidnappings. Both matters were reported and SAPS called in.
“Pupils, parents and communities must remain vigilant and alert – at all times when it comes to the protection of themselves and pupils. Parents and pupils should all practise safety measures, such as walking in groups, clear identification of transport, dropping off pupils on time and be aware of their surroundings,” she said.
Another incident occurred on Friday March 8 when a suspicious vehicle was spotted outside West End Primary School. Parents raised their concerns in a WhatsApp group. The vehicle was found to be driven by an e-hailing driver who was waiting for a customer.
West End Primary School’s principal Clive Arries said their school governing body has appointed additional private security guards who’ll be on guard outside the school.
“Parents and staff noticed the suspicious vehicle. They took pictures and sent them to SAPS. I will send out another letter on the matter as we also don’t want to put the driver's life at risk although they are still going to be alert,” he said.
The vigilance of the parents is commended as they spotted it immediately. The pupils safety will always be placed first. “We can’t take these incidents lightly and urged parents to be aware,“ he said.
Lentegeur SAPS spokesperson Constable Navon van Houten confirmed the e-hailing driver of the vehicle was approached by SAPS as he was waiting for a client.
WCED spokesperson, Millicent Merton, confirmed West End Primary has not received any reports about an attempted kidnapping. A vehicle parked near the school on more than one occasion raised suspicion and it was reported to police.
Chairperson of Mitchell’s Plain United Residents’ Association (MURA) Norman Jantjes said the CPF is concerned about regular incidents of attempted kidnapping and robbery of school pupils.
“It is not confined to Beacon Valley but right across Mitchell's Plain. This problem requires urgent attention from all the stakeholders. Schools need to increase awareness of these safety challenges amongst the staff, pupils and parents,” he said.
Deputy chairperson of MURA, Michael Jacobs said they acknowledge this is a great concern to the community.
“It is a scourge that must be tackled holistically and we call on the government to step up its awareness on these issues and work closely with schools and stakeholders. MURA acknowledges that certain interventions have been put in place at certain schools in Mitchell's Plain, affected by gang violence and truancy, by the City of Cape Town and others; it’s not enough,” he said.
By working together the issue of pupil safety can be addressed effectively, he said.
To report crime call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS 32211.