Merebank mother fights off suspected kidnapper: ‘He wanted my child, not my bag’

SERIOUS CONCERN

- NADIA KHAN

IN BROAD daylight on a busy street in Merebank, a mother fought desperately to save her 19-year-old daughter from suspected kidnappers.

This incident highlights growing concerns about kidnapping in KwaZulu-Natal, which has the second-highest number of cases in South Africa.

The woman, who declined to be named, said she and her daughter were walking along Satara Road when they were attacked.

She said they were walking from their home to a nearby doctor's surgery for an appointment last Thursday at about 2pm.

“T noticed a blue car drive past, and then it parked on the side of the road a few metres away. I became suspicious as no one jumped off the vehicle. I wanted to turn around and go back to our home, but thought what if they followed us.

“So, my daughter and I continued to walk towards the surgery, but slowly. At the time, it was busy as schools had just ended for the day and there were children walking and other vehicles driving by.

“As we got closer to the vehicle, the car door opened on the passenger side, and a man jumped off and came towards us. When we saw this, my daughter turned around and started to run, holding on to my hand,” she said.

The woman said the man then grabbed hold of her daughter.

“I shouted ‘you are not going to take my child’, and he was swearing. He tried to pick her up by her legs, but she was still holding on to my hand. When he tried to grab her from the top half of her body, I pushed her down on to the ground and sat on top of her.