Cape Times E-dition

Anxious wait for family of kidnapped schoolboys

CHULUMANCO MAHAMBA chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za

THE family of a wealthy Limpopo businessman, whose four sons were kidnapped on their way to school, are stressed and traumatised as the police intensify their manhunt for the kidnappers.

The police in Westenburg outside Polokwane have intensified their operations after the sons of Nazim and Shakira Moti were kidnapped on their way to Curro Heuwelkruin in Dalmada this week.

Their sons, Zidan, 6, Zayyad, 11, Alaan, 13, and Zia, 15, were forcefully removed from their scholar transport by a group of about seven suspects armed with rifles on Wednesday morning.

The Moti family lawyer, Philip Smit, said yesterday that the family was anxiously playing the waiting game.

“The father and mother are very stressed and it’s very traumatic for them. The criminals have not only taken one child, they have taken all their children – so you can imagine how stressful it is for them. But they are getting support from their family, friends and community. We pray for a positive outcome soon,” Smit said.

According to the police, the 64-yearold driver allegedly fetched the boys from Nirvana and was driving along the R37 road near the N1 bypass when he was suddenly blocked by two vehicles, a white Kia Sorento and black Mercedes Benz.

“Seven occupants from the two vehicles, dressed in white overalls, alighted and started firing shots randomly. The suspects then forced the four children out of the vehicle into their Mercedes Benz before driving off towards the direction of the R81 road,” said Westenburg station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Maimele Pilusa.

The suspects left the distraught driver on the scene with his vehicle.

Pilusa added that the police were notified and immediately started investigating, launching a manhunt for the suspects and the children. The children’s cellphones were later recovered, having been dumped in the Flora Park suburb.

“The motive for the incident is unknown at this stage, but police investigations are under way.

Pilusa said the police were urging companies that had CCTV footage that may help in the investigation to call 076 712 1537.

According to Smit and the police, no ransom demands had been made by yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Curro Holdings also joined in the search efforts after the company called on the Polokwane community to help find the four children.

“Help us find the Moti brothers! Zidan, Zayyad, Alaan and Zia were abducted on their way to school. If you have any information, please WhatsApp 083 269 0892 as soon as possible,” Curro Holdings said in a poster circulating on social media.

The Limpopo Department of Social Development sent a team of social workers to the Moti family yesterday and another team of social workers also extended their psychosocial support services to the school the children are attending.

Social Development MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale said the violent way in which the children were taken was disturbing, and their safety was of serious concern.

The family lawyer called for sensitivity regarding misinformation. This comes following denied reports that the children had been tracked down.

“There is no real assistance through false information being spread, it just worsens the situation.

“Please refrain from making any comments,” Smit said.

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2021-10-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://capetimes.pressreader.com/article/281479279615426

African News Agency