The festive season is here, meaning shopping centres and malls become busier — attracting not only bargain-hunters but also opportunistic criminals. Experts cautions that personal safety must remain a top priority as criminals often rely on distraction to target their victims.
In the latest incident, a 5-year-old girl was walking with
her mother at Vangate Mall when a man tried to pull the child away from her.
‘’On Saturday morning (2025-12-14) approximately 10:30 a
mom was walking with her 5-year-old daughter at a shopping mall in Athlone,
holding her hand when an unidentified male came and tried to pull the child
away from her. A tug of war ensued when the dad of the child saw this he
intervened. A case of attempted kidnapping has been opened. The parents and
child received counselling at Athlone Victim Support room,’’ said Captain F.C
van Wyk, Western cape police spokesperson.
A 30-year-old male was arrested and he is currently under
police guard at a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
COURTESY: SAPSDone By: Mitchum George
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