My daughter was almost stolen
by Tracey Samuel
I cannot get this out of my head! My daughter was nearly stolen last night! I feel like there is nothing I can do – but I must do something!
I live in Johannesburg North. Last night a friend took my daughter and I out for dinner. We went to the Mimmo’s in Northriding, the one on Bellairs Drive. We went there with the motivation that there is quite a nice big play center for our children to run around in. The play center sits right on the parking lot – but it is caged off very securely. Towards the end of the evening I heard my friend shout my daughters name when I looked up I saw my daughter leaving the play area and walking Into the parking lot. I then shouted her name, but she did not stop or even turn around. My concern was that she was heading into the parking lot and may be hit by A car. I could see headlights facing her, and assumed it was a moving vehicle.
I jumped up and started running to stop her. Once I had caught up I saw the headlights were coming from a stationary vehicle. A white car parked just on the edge of the play area but out of sight from the restaurant. There I was confronted with an Indian man, tall and slender, I would Guess late 20′s to early 30′s. He had a little girl with him which I assumed was his. A little Indian girl, I’d say just over a year old. I shouted at my daughter ” where are you going “. She was just inches Away from the open car door. She said that man said she must come with him and get in his car.
The man then muttered something to me and swiftly got into his car to leave.
I wish I had confronted him, I wish I had taken down his number plate, But it all felt so surreal, at that stage I still wasn’t sure what had actually happened. I just picked up my daughter and headed back to our table telling her She mustn’t go with strangers.
It still feels like it was a dream, it happened so quickly, had things happened differently she would have been gone forever.
On speaking to the children I am told that this man had been speaking to both my daughter and my friends son. They said he was very nice. He then asked my daughter if she would go with him to look after his baby. For those of you who know my daughter, that bate becomes even more sick. As we know that she would jump at the chance to mommy any baby. I also worry about that little girl the man had with him. Was that toddler even his – where was the mother. I don’t know, but I am sharing this story because I think we all need to be reminded to be vigilant at all times, to keep our eyes and ears open, especially at these restaurants with play arena’s.
At the end of the day we are very very lucky – I am in utter shock, but Am incredibly grateful.
Sincerely,
Tracey Samuel
To all parents out there, it does not matter if your children are 2months or 22yrs, be vigilant, do not take for granted that they ARE SAFE, they’re not! The society we have been brought up to know has been penetrated by hateful, deceitful people who are overcome with evil!
I am an active member of the Not For Sale Campaign, this is a campaign against Child Labour, Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery…!
PLEASE parents, the threat is REAL!
I own the Flash Power Energy Drink here in South Africa and a portion of every can sold goes to the “Not for Salë Campaign”, they are ased in California, go to their site at http://www.notforsalecampaign.com
Another South African company supporting this campaign is Kidsthemes, please help us to support the campaign by supporting us.
Tracey, I am extremely grateful to know that you did not lose your daughter that night!
A true story, one of our safe houses, in Venezuela, for kidnapped girls was approached by a young girl seeking shelter but was turned away because the place was already overcrowded with destitute young girls, the following morning the police found her in a hotel room (renowned for foreign tourists), she had been tied to the bed, gagged and stripped of her clothing and repeadedly raped throughout the night, and after she had served her purpose, she was choked to death, she was 12 years old!
People, what kind of MEN are we raising in our societies, I am a man but not proud to be one!
kidsthemes@gmail.com – Dillon / flashpowerenergydrink@gmail.com – Warren
To South African parents, there is a syndicate that is trying to nab children from schools and public places. This is not a hoax and it has been reported in the newspapers over the last few weeks. Take your children’s safety seriuosly and make sure that you know where your children are at ALL times. For more info, please contact me on info@4akid.co.a, tel 082 447 1182 or visit my website http://www.4akid.co.za. It is our responsibility to keep our children safe!
Tracey – your story gives me goosebumps! I need some information specifically on trafficking in SA, syndicates, police involvement, anything substantial. I’m hosting a workshop regarding this and want to include information which can be helpful in prevention and responding to instances of trafficking. Does the police have a trafficking unit or anything like this? Please, if anyone can give me contact details, email addresses or web addresses, please email it to juanitameyer@gmail.com
Juanita
We had a similar incident with my daughter and her friend a few months ago! It is very scary! Like you though, we never confronted the guy involved!
I wrote and article on child trafficking http://www.female2female.co.za/?p=539 It is very hard to find information about it in South Africa though. There are articles on the polices efforts in trying to minimise this during the world cup – so maybe start with the police headquarters they may be able to give you more information!