Cape Town - The Manenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) has requested that police leave no stone unturned in the case of Manenberg mother Shireen Essop, after she was found alive at the weekend.
This follows a report that police failed to assist her at a petrol station in Govan Mbeki Road, while her family requested privacy.
Vigilant Klipfontein Mission Station Neighbourhood Watch members found Essop early on Saturday morning, apparently trying to seek help from the police who were buying coffee at the BP petrol station.
According to one of the members, Dean Esau they assisted her after seeing she was being ignored.
“Shireen was speaking to the cop, she requested to make a phone call to her husband to fetch her because she was kidnapped about three weeks ago. The policemen ignored her completely. When I overheard the conversation I approached her. She spoke and other members of the neighbourhood watch gave her phone to call her family who fetched her,” said Esau.
Essop went missing on May 23 while she was driving a white Toyota on Weltevreden Road near Philippi, heading home after work.
The vehicle was traced and found abandoned in Philippi.
Manenberg CPF member Vanessa Adriaanse said the community had been praying for her safe return.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk would only confirm that Essop was found and reunited with her family.
“The details of the matter are still the subject of the investigation,” said Van Wyk.
The family said while they were grateful for all the support they received, they requested privacy.
“Words alone cannot express our heartfelt appreciation for being in your thoughts and in your hearts during these dark hours. Your support and continuous prayers have given us the strength to remain positive and hopeful that the Almighty will guide her safely back home to us,” the family said in a statement.
Missing Children South Africa (MCSA) said they were informed by the family that Essop was found.
“No family would want to speak about a traumatic ordeal when they just got their loved one back and an investigation ongoing. People are very rude on social media and don’t have respect anymore. As an organisation we appreciate people sharing the flyers of any missing person but it’s not always possible to share details about the situation,” she said.
Meanwhile in Kraaifontein at about 6.30pm on Friday members of the Provincial Extortion Task Team and Kraaifontein CID conducted a high risk crime intelligence driven operation, where they rescued a man who was kidnapped.
Van Wyk said police were tipped-off that the man was at a heavy guarded shack at Browns Farm, Philippi.
“The victim was taken to hospital for medical evaluation and care. The investigation continues,” he said.
Cape Times