A Gauteng family is in a state of shock and anxiety as they await any news regarding the alleged kidnapping of an 85-year-old former businessman in Johannesburg’s Botanical Gardens.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday morning while the man was walking his dogs in the popular park in Emmarentia.
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According to Clive Maher, the owner of SCP Security, the man was snatched by three men and forced into what appeared to be a white panel van. Maher revealed that the vehicle’s registration had already been confirmed as cloned. The victim had a routine of walking his dogs in the park around 10 am.
The family is currently devastated and traumatised, with many unanswered questions regarding the motive behind this kidnapping. Maher, who is in contact with the family as their client, stated that no significant information has emerged thus far.
Wayne Lurie, the deputy chairperson of the Parkview community policing forum (CPF), confirmed their presence at the scene on Friday morning. He expressed how deeply shocked and affected the community is by the incident. While the area has not experienced much crime recently, this incident is likely to instil fear among residents, especially the elderly.
Lurie refrained from commenting on the specifics of the incident, as it is currently under police investigation. However, he expressed trust in the police’s ability to apprehend the suspects and offered support to the victim’s family through the CPF’s victim support unit.
The Gauteng police spokesperson, Col Mavela Masondo, declined to confirm or deny the incident, emphasising that commenting on ongoing kidnapping cases could jeopardise the victim’s safety.
This unprecedented kidnapping in a well-known park has significantly altered the community’s perception of the area’s safety. The community is hopeful that the police will swiftly resolve this distressing situation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
