Parents fear for safety of their kids

PARENTS are fearful that their children may be the next victims of child trafficking, following numerous reports on social media about abductions and kidnappings. Whether the reports are true or not, they say they are taking them seriously.

“We cannot let our guard down and say it will not happen to us, because it can. Whether it is a hoax or not, we have to take these things seriously. I mean, look at that little boy Miguel Louw who has been missing for more than a month,” said Durban mother of two, Macey Govender.

The 38-year-old said she had been talking to her children, aged 8 and 10, about “stranger danger” and being vigilant when waiting to be picked up after school.

“It is scary when you think about the predators stalking and looking for children to sell. It is hard to even go to the malls these days, without thinking if your child is going to be snatched from you.”

Johannesburg father Don Naidoo said he did not know what to believe.

“Yes, human trafficking is a global problem. It does not only affect South Africa. But as parents, the only thing we can do is work with our schools to ensure our children are safe at all times.

“I am always in contact with my children’s school to let them know who is coming to fetch them and if their transport is running late, I request that my children wait on the school property rather than the roadside,” said the 40-year-old Lenasia father of two.

A Pietermaritzburg mother of three, who requested anonymity, said after reading about the kidnappings, she stopped posting photographs of her children on social media.

The 45-year-old said she had read that those who worked in the human trafficking ring, tracked down their victims from what they saw on social media.

“I was so afraid when I saw this. I actually tried to remove pictures of my three daughters, especially those of them in school uniform. I also read on social media that setting up a password between you and your child is a good idea.”

She said there was a word only her and her daughters knew and if anyone approached them saying she sent them to pick them up, they must ask for the password. If the person did not know it, they must run away and scream for help.