A Verulam teenager had a narrow escape after she managed to flee from a kidnapper on Monday July 3.
The 19-year-old had been walking on Ireland Street, when she was approached by a man who forced her into a car and then drove her to a house in Trenance Park, Phoenix. There he allegedly forced her into the house and bound her feet with rope before removing her shirt.
The woman, who did not want to be identified, eventually managed to untie herself and escape when the alleged kidnapper left the house.
Reaction Unit South Africa’s (RUSA) Prem Balram said the woman, in her statement to them, said she had left her Hazelmere home at about 10am on Monday and went to the city centre in a mini-bus taxi to buy fast food for her family.
“When she got to the Ireland Street fast food outlet, she realised she did not have enough money and decided to leave. While walking on the road, she was stopped by a man driving a car, who attempted to strike up a conversation with her.
“She ignored him and carried on walking. The man then followed her with his car and forced her into in. He then drove with her to a house in Phoenix where he forced her in and tied her feet with rope before removing her shirt. At some point, the man left the house, and she managed to untie herself and escaped,” said Mr Balram.
“The woman, who was without her top and bare-chested, upon fleeing, met a man nearby who offered her his T-shirt and pointed her to a RUSA member who was in the vicinity. Our member then attempted to assist her but she was unable to provide any details about the car or the location of the house as she was extremely upset and frantic,” said Mr Balram.
The South African Police Services in Verulam are investigating a case of kidnapping.