Cape Town - A 17-year-old girl has become the latest victim of the kidnapping syndicates rocking the Western Cape after she was abducted from her father’s shop in Delft earlier this week.
It is understood that the family owns a tuck shop in Suburban in Delft, which is owned by the teenager’s father.
The father has already received a ransom demand of R600 000 for his daughter’s safe return.
The drama unfolded earlier this week while the father was offloading goods for his tuck shop in front of the premises when he was confronted by five men, four of whom were black and one a Somali national.
The father was pistol-whipped while the men entered the shop and took his teenage daughter out of the shop.
A crime-fighter who asked not to be named said that a cash demand had already been made.
The “Weekend Argus” understands that negotiators have been called in to assist with the investigation.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said they could not reveal much at this stage.
“We can confirm that the Hawks are busy with the investigation. The investigation is at a sensitive stage and no information can be divulged at this current moment.”
Two weeks ago, 8-year-old Abira Dekhta of Rylands was rescued from a shack in Khayelitsha.
Abira’s kidnapping was followed by an intense investigation by high-ranking police members who used specialised units and technology to locate Abira, who was unharmed and healthy.
Abira, who is in Grade 2 at Rylands Primary School, had been sitting in the front seat of her school transport vehicle on November 4 when she was snatched by armed men.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that seven suspects charged with Abira’s kidnapping and extortion are due back in court on December 7 for a bail application.
The group made an appearance at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court last week.
During an interview with the “Cape Argus” this week, Abira’s father, Aslam Dekhta, said he did not believe his family was targeted and that his daughter was well cared for.
He explained that the kidnappers allowed her to relieve herself and wash and fed her KFC burgers and McDonald’s.
He further stated that the kidnappers had threatened her via phone calls, stating they were going to cut her finger and sell her somewhere.
He added the kidnapping was for ransom but did not disclose how much the kidnappers had demanded.
Dekhta said they did not pay a cent to the kidnappers, thanks to the police rescue.
Dekhta owns a cellphone shop in Gatesville.