Daily Dispatch
Keep lookout for the rogues
IT IS that time of the year when the people of this country would be wise to be on high alert against the criminal element in our society.
It has been a tough year for many and the prospect of a break away from the stresses and strains is seductive, with factories and business shutting for the Christmas break.
However, it would be prudent to be careful, especially with criminals lurking in the shadows – and in broad daylight – ever ready to pounce.
The attraction of a quick buck drives the crooks to commit their nefarious deeds, devising various ways to get at people’s cash. Recently, we have reported on a spate of frightening kidnappings related to robberies and fraudulent acts, which has hit this region.
Having a loved one fall foul of this despicable act is certainly quite traumatic for the victims and their families.
A baby was kidnapped for ransom by a Mozambican woman hired as a nanny for a three-year-old Mdantsane child. Instead the woman fled with the child and tried to extort R500 000 from the parents.
The child was rescued in Maputo and returned home to her family. The nanny was sentenced to 20 years in jail, proving that our courts view such crimes in the harshest light.
There was also the case of a pregnant woman who was tied up by her assailants and driven off in a vehicle along an East London freeway. Offduty police officers came to her rescue after they got wind of her plight when she waved her tied hands to catch their attention. A man was arrested.
The incident had an effect on both the victim and the officers who had to undergo psychological counselling.
Last week a businessman was abducted in Beacon Bay and robbed of a large amount of cash by gun-toting bandits. He was later freed in Amalinda and his car recovered.
It is shameful that people going about their ordinary business have to endure such distressing ordeals. But it should not only be left to the law-enforcement authorities to act against rogue elements in society.
Everybody can – and should – do their bit to stop the scourge of crime. Being more wary of suspicious characters around the malls, ATMs and in our neighbourhoods can save us all much pain. It pays to be vigilant.
According to figures released by Crime Stats SA there have been 4 252 kidnapping incidents this year alone. Over the past 12 years, some 38 269 persons have been abducted nationally.
These are staggering statistics by any measure. There is also evidence of syndicates of human traffickers plotting to spread their tentacles to this country. We should all be deeply concerned about this, and increase our vigilance at all times.