KAYLYNN PALM
A 12-year-old boy was left traumatised after he was attacked and forced into a car by two men while walking home from his Westridge school.
The boy was walking home from Parkhurst Primary School on Monday February 29 when he was approached by two men driving a white car in Simonsig Road in Westridge near KFC.
Principal of Parkhurst Primary School, Ivan Coraizin, said the boy was a short distance from his home when the incident happened.
He said one of the men jumped out of the car and dragged the boy into the car. Mr Coraizin said the car was forced to stop at a scholar patrol in Wespoort Drive, at Portland Primary, where children were crossing.
“At this point the boy fought against his abductors and managed to get out of the car and make his way home. Apart from some bruises, he was not seriously injured, but he was highly traumatised,” he said.
The boy escaped in Wespoort Drive and the car proceeded in the direction of the Town Centre.
Mr Coraizin said the boy did nothing wrong as he left school on time and made his way straight home.
“He is now safe with his family who are seeing to it that he receives suitable comfort and counselling. We pray for his well-being and the safety of all our pupils,” he said.
Mr Coraizin said after the incident the school informed parents and held an assembly to create increased awareness around safety.
“We advised children to walk in groups and to be vigilant. We have informed parents about the incident as we do not want our pupils to be in danger,” he said.
Mitchell’s Plain SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Ian Williams, confirmed the incident.
He said the matter is a serious concern and SAPS regard crimes against women and children as of the highest priority.
“We urge parents to talk to their children about these issues such as to be aware of their surroundings at all times, and to not play in isolated places on their own,” he said.
He said children should preferably move in groups to and from school and parents must make suitable arrangements to avoid their children being left waiting alone and for long periods for collection after school.
“Most importantly, parents should teach their children to not talk to strangers, but rather to run away to safety when called by a stranger.
“They should be encouraged to inform their parents and or teachers about any incidents or suspicious persons or vehicles that they might have observed loitering about school grounds or on their walking routes,” he said.
Sergeant Williams said when children are confronted by a stranger and any attempt is made to restrain them, they should shout and call out for help if they don’t know the person or they are in danger.