Still no sign of kidnapped Mayfair primary school pupil – UPDATE

Almost four weeks later and the 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped in front of the E.P. Baumann Primary School in Mayfair in Johannesburg is STILL missing. 

THE KIDNAPPING HAPPENED LAST MONTH 

The schoolgirl was kidnapped outside the school at gunpoint while waiting in line to be sanitized and screened. 

ALSO READ: JUST IN: Schoolgirl kidnapped outside school in Mayfair

Here is the latest information available on the kidnapping.

HERE IS THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE:

• The schoolgirl is reportedly the daughter of wealthy foreign nationals who own a hotel and several other businesses in the area.
• There is confusion about the age of the girl, Local Councillor Rickey Nair told the media the girl is nine years old, but the education department has her age as 11.
• The kidnapping happened at around 7:11 on Wednesday morning, outside the E.P. Baumann Primary School.
• Three men, reportedly armed with AK47 rifles, took the schoolgirl at gunpoint.
• Nair told the media that the kidnappers knew their target and called the schoolgirl by her name.
• Their getaway vehicle has been described as a silver/white Toyota Yaris.
• The number plate of the Toyota Yaris is JS 62 CS GP.

POLICE STILL TIGHT-LIPPED ABOUT KIDNAPPING 

Police have remained tight-lipped since the kidnapping. 

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona  said a decision was made last month that all screening and scanning procedures must be done inside the school premises with immediate effect.

“We call upon the public to come forward with any information they may have to assist ongoing investigations,” he said.

THE IDENTITY OF THE KIDNAPPED GIRL IS STILL UNKNOWN 

The identity of the girl is not yet known. 

ALSO READ: Crime stats: 2000 kidnappings reported in SA from July to September 2021

Earlier this month, the second quarter crime statistics revealed 2000 kidnapping cases were reported to the police between July and September 2021.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said this is a new category of crime that the police are monitoring closely.

During July this year, 507 kidnappings were reported, followed by 694 in August and 799 in September.

ALSO READ: Latest: Schoolgirl kidnapped in Mayfair STILL missing

HOW MANY OF THESE CASES WAS RANSON RELATED? 

Cele said officials analysed a sample of 620 cases. In that sample, 52 kidnappings were ransom-related, while seven involved human trafficking.

He added that most of the kidnappings reported were high-jacking-related, followed by kidnappings that were robbery and rape-related.