* This story has been updated for clarity.
Cape Town - Despite searching the neighbouring veld and surrounds until the evening, there were no signs of 6-year-old Shanawaaz Asghar, who was snatched in front of his home in Kensington by six armed men on Wednesday morning.
His parents and three siblings witnessed the moment armed men snatched the little boy, as they headed out for school drop-offs.
Concerned family, friends and neighbours gathered at the residence in Kensington on Wednesday, where Asghar was allegedly kidnapped hours before.
The family is originally from Pakistan.
Asghar, a Grade R learner at Hidayatul Islam Primary School, dressed in his school uniform, was taken by African men in two vehicles.
School governing body chairperson Dawood Esack said the incident occurred at 8:15am. The father of the child was pulling out the vehicle with the two older siblings inside, and got out of the car to fetch Asghar.
“That’s when he just saw five guys on the stoep and they said they’re coming for shelter because it was raining, and then unfortunately he knew at that point that something was wrong.
“The next thing, they just grabbed the one child and ran with him as he (the father) wanted to respond. The other one kept the gun to his head. That’s the time that he went into total shock.”
Esack said the vehicles were a silver VW Polo and white VW Polo.
Nearby security footage showed the two identified vehicles driving towards the house at 7.30am. Asghar was allegedly placed inside the white vehicle.
“But it’s also been established that while we have the registration of the one vehicle, the number was cloned,” Esack said.
Esack said the father was taking care of his brother-in-law’s business.
“So he’s not really one of those where one can sort of say he’s a rich businessman. Just recently there was another kidnapping, also in our area, of a shop owner. And again it was people that were living from hand to mouth.”
Upon instruction given by the police, Asghar’s sister said they would not be able to share any information.
““There’s nothing we’re able to share today. Police said we can’t talk to the media.”
She later said, however, that her father, his wife and three siblings witnessed the incident.
She confirmed there were two vehicles. This was also confirmed by another family member who wished to not be named.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut confirmed the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping were under police investigation.
Traut said the six suspects who fled with the boy are yet to be arrested.
“Due to the sensitive nature of our investigation, we will not be disclosing any further information at this premature stage,” Traut said.
Community Policing Forum chairperson Cheslyn Steenberg said camera footage was being investigated and the vehicles were a silver Ford and a white VW sedan.
He said no suspicious cars or activities were reported prior to the incident.
“The CPF is assisting with information gathering. We are also guarding against misinformation, plus offering counselling.”
At 5.30pm, ward councillor Helen Jacobs with members of the neighbourhood watch, the CPF, private security and police gathered at the Kensington Civic Centre in Factreton Avenue to commence local search operations and to find out more from the community.
The Muslim Judicial Council issued a request for prayers.
“Our duah is for the Almighty Allah to return him, and all others who have been kidnapped , back to their families unharmed,” the notice read.
Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said fourth quarter crime statistics show that kidnappings increased by 8.3% or 16 more cases compared to the same period of the previous year.
“Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu had increases of 122% and 100% respectively,” Allen said.
"This latest incident of the abduction of a child leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, as criminals are using innocent children as pawns in their schemes."
Should anyone have information on the kidnapping, contact the mother 081 529 6128 or the warrant officer on 082 850 9618.