Missing eight-year-old Abirah Dekhta from Rylands, who was kidnapped in Athlone on Friday 4 November, was found unharmed and safely returned to her family between 20:00 and 21:00 on Monday 14 November.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen responded late last night in a statement.
“I welcome the news that she has been found, safe and unharmed. The Police informed me that Abirah was found in Khayelitsha and is undergoing a medical assessment and receiving trauma counselling. As of last night (Monday, 14 November), Police and law enforcement agencies were still investigating the circumstances around her disappearance. Various individuals are being questioned and I trust we will soon be able to get to the bottom of this matter. I would urge communities to keep Abirah and her family in their prayers and thoughts during this difficult time. I thank the Police and all law enforcement agencies for ensuring Abirah could be found.
“The Office of the Provincial Commissioner confirmed that Abirah was found.
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The statement by the Provincial Commissioner released at 22:03 on Monday reads: “Following the kidnapping of the 8-year-old girl Abirah Dekhta on 4 November, Police members from various specialised units and City of Cape Town’s law enforcement officials utilising state of the art technology have locater her in a shack in Town Two, Khayelitsha on Monday evening.
“The intelligence-led integrated operation saw forces descending on the township where the young girl was found. She has since been sent to a doctor for a medical assessment.
“Meanwhile, investigations into the crime of kidnapping continue with police detectives currently questioning several individuals with a view of apprehending the perpetrators of the crime. The child will be united with her family after the medical assessment has been finalised.”
Earlier last night evening when the news broke that Abirah was found, Ml Abdul Khaliq Allie says in a statement on behalf of the Muslim Judicial Council: “The MJC join the family of Abirah and the entire community in expressing joy and happiness on the safe return of her to the family. We are grateful to Allah for bringing her home safely.”We salute the multi-disciplinary police operation team in securing her rescue. The MJC call upon the authorities to take firm action against these criminals and to show no mercy to them. As a community, we must remain vigilant and stand together. As a community, we shall not tolerate any future kidnapping of any individual.”
Abirah was abducted ten days ago in Gatesville on her way to Rylands Primary.
On Thursday 10 and Friday 11 November parents protested outside the school with placards in solidarity with the family.
On Friday religious leaders gathered at the school to pray for her safe return and drove to her home in a convoy.
In the time that she was missing the MJC requested that the community make duah for her and asked anyone with information to contact the police’s kidnapping and extortion hotline with any information.
Sgt Zita Norman, the spokesperson for Athlone Police, confirmed that Abirah was found and thanked the community, NHWs, religious leaders, family, friends and everyone who prayed for her safe return on behalf of the Police.
Norman says she was found late Monday afternoon and that Abirah’s family asked that their privacy be respected.
