ISIS case - why do police not ask public for help?

Over the past few weeks I have been reading with great interest the Zululand Observer’s stories about the two missing Cape Town botanists and the apparent crime link to ISISrelated suspects.

While one can understand the need for a certain amount of secrecy given the sensitive nature of international terrorism networks, I fail to understand why all the details were kept from the public, who may well have been – and possibly still are - in a position to assist the investigation.

After all, abduction is a crime that should be investigated like all criminal cases, and this means finding as many witnesses as possible.

The couple’s vehicle was hijacked and apparently driven many kilometres to where it was discovered.

This means they must have stopped at filling stations, where they may well have been caught on CCTV cameras.

They may even have bought refreshments inside the garage shop.

But no media releases were issued by authorities calling for anyone who might have seen the vehicle and its occupants.

Many people also have dash cams fitted to their vehicles, which may have recorded the stolen vehicle.

Again, it took ages for photos of the missing couple to emerge – and this via their friends, colleagues and the media, not from law enforcement agencies.

Mr Saunders, particularly, is a recognisable figure given his appearance, and would surely have been remembered by anyone who saw him. I feel the police have done themselves and the couple a disservice by keeping the public in the dark.

By all means keep the

‘classified’ stuff from the public, but the investigation could have been significantly assisted by using plain common sense in calling for witnesses.

AMATEUR SLEUTH