Kidnap boy's dad linked to case
2005-10-11 16:38
Johannesburg - Police were combing the city for a 10-year-old boy kidnapped outside his home in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, on Tuesday morning.
An armed man seized Grade Four pupil Liam Aspeling from the car taking him to Aloe Ridge Primary School in nearby Walkerville.
According to The Star newspaper, Aspeling's father had spent the past two years under the witness protection programme because of his involvement in a trial which recently began.
However, this report could not be confirmed by Vaal police spokesperson Superintendent Maria Mazibuko.
Liam's 21-year-old brother watched as a Honda Civic, registration DWL 094 GP, drew up next to the lift-club car and an armed man climbed out, pulling the youngster from the other vehicle, said police.
'He's a baby. He hasn't done anyone any harm'
An Ennerdale resident heard Liam scream when he was snatched.
"I was watering my garden," said Sophia Maart, who lives on the other side of Vulcan Street. "I screamed for my husband," she said. Schoolchildren in the road also screamed.
"I saw a man with a small gun. I couldn't see any of the others in the champagne-coloured car because the windows were tinted," said Maart.
She said Liam waited outside his home every day for his lift - usually with a relative watching him.
Liam's uncle, Tony Aspeling appealed to "whoever has this kid to get him back to us".
"He's a baby. He hasn't done anyone any harm."
Reluctant to give further details on police operations, Mazibuko said Liam was "a normal boy from a normal family. Not rich, not poor".
Anyone able to assist the police with information was asked to call the Ennerdale police station on 011-855-1055/1534 or contact the station commander Superintendent Gideon Mundalamo on 082-556-4837.
- SAPA