‘Hunt down man’s kidnappers’
marvin.charles@inl.co.za THE Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and MEC of Community Safety Dan Plato called for the police to beef-up their resources and hunt down those who kidnapped freed 65-year-old businessman, Liyaqat Parker.
“We’re deeply concerned that the perpetrators of this heinous kidnapping are still in society. We implore the SAPS and Ipid (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) to deploy their available resources to find these culprits and bring them to book. We cannot have another kidnapping of this kind in South Africa again,” said MJC secretary-general Shaykh Isgaak Taliep. He said they wished Parker a full recovery from his traumatic ordeal and that the family found some form of peace in his return.
Plato raised serious questions about the SAPS’s role in combating and preventing kidnappings involving prominent business people.
“Had the police been instrumental in the return of Mr Parker, the Western Cape government would be the first to congratulate them on a sterling job.
“However, the opposite currently seems to be true. I believe a ransom worth millions has been paid for the safe return of Mr Parker.
“The police have thus far remained tight-lipped about the investigation, leaving speculation to continue as to their involvement to return Mr Parker or capabilities to arrest those responsible,” Plato said.
Parker was reunited with his family on Tuesday after being held captive for more than two months. While no information has been forthcoming about where he was found, it’s understood a ransom was paid for his release.
Parker was apparently driving into the basement parking of his business premises in Stairway Close, Parow, when a double-cab light duty vehicle followed.
At the gate, the suspects forced the security guard into the toilet at gunpoint where they took his cellphone and locked him in.
They then went into the basement, where they forced Parker into their vehicle and drove off.
Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase said: “All abduction cases are handled by our mother body, the SAPS.”
Parker’s family has confirmed he was safely reunited with them.