[imagesource: Supplied to IOL]

Yesterday morning, Shahnawaz Asghar was snatched from his 9th Street home in Kensington, Cape Town.

Shortly before 8AM, six suspects grabbed Shahnawaz and it’s believed they fled the scene in a vehicle with cloned licence plates.

Neighbours have reported seeing one of the cars involved in the kidnapping on the road days prior to the kidnapping.

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of the family, identified only as Ms Joubert, told IOL that Shahnawaz’s mother was extremely traumatised:

“All the family wants is for him to be returned as soon as possible and unharmed,” she said…

Image: Supplied to IOL

“He was grabbed right outside the house as his mother was leaving to take the three children (daughter, aged 11 and the two boys, aged nine and six) to school just around the corner from them within walking distance,” Joubert said.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed the kidnapping but refrained from giving too many details due to “the sensitive nature of our investigation”.

In a follow-up story this morning, IOL claims a source has disclosed that a ransom demand has now been made. Kidnappers allegedly called the family to communicate that.

However, Cheslyn Steenberg, Kensington Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairman, shot that claim down while saying investigators are making progress:

“The Kensington CPF herewith informs the community that progress has been made in this matter, and some noteworthy developments have been made.

“I would like to urge the public to only share verified information – misinformation can lead to secondary trauma to the family of Shanawaaz,” Steenberg added.

Shahnawaz was last seen in a blue school tracksuit, topped off with a grey-and-white camouflage puffer jacket and black school shoes.

This car is believed to have been used to transport him following the kidnapping:

Again, the vehicle has cloned licence plates so sharing those details is unwise.

Shahnawaz, who is of Pakistani descent, attends Hidayatul Islam Primary School. Dawood Esack, a friend of the family and chairperson of the Hidayatul Islam Primary School governing body, spoke with CapeTalk this morning:

… One of the guys grabbed young Shanawaaz and ran off with him. As he [father] wanted to react, the other guy pulled out a gun and put it to his head; he went into a state of shock… As they sped off, he ran out into the street… he got into his bakkie and gave chase…

The mother is totally frantic… It’s not easy… We support them as best we can. This morning the principal chatted to the kids… We put out a newsletter to parents… please be vigilant…

Esack said the Asghar family are not wealthy, unlike other families involved in recent high-profile kidnappings, which makes it difficult to understand why they were targeted.

#MCSAMissing

Shanawaaz Asghar (6) was last seen 17 August 2022

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— Missing Children SA (@072MISSING) August 17, 2022

[sources:iol&iol&capetalk]