Snatched boy's dad wants media blackout
2012-04-30 10:54
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Lunga Biyela, The Witness
Durban - The family of a 12-year-old South African boy who was kidnapped in Malaysia wants a media blackout in the hope that he will not be harmed and his kidnappers will play ball.
Speaking to The Witness from Kuala Lumpur, his father, Durban-born Sham Moodliar said: “We have had no contact with the kidnappers”.
This was in spite of Sunday newspapers having reported that the family were contacted by the men who abducted 12-year-old Nayati on his way to school on Friday.
Moodliar said his family had asked the media and the police to step back, in the hope that it would encourage the kidnappers to contact them.
Threat
“We have asked for a media blackout because we feel the publicity this has gained might pose a threat to our son’s life,” he said.
The family has also appealed to the online community not to spread rumours.
Appeals for Nayati’s return have gone viral, with a Facebook page set up to help find him that already has more than 11 000 members.
"As of noon today (30th April 2012), Nayati's whereabouts is still unknown. We have received a lot of very good suggestions and advice from everyone who emailed/PM us. We are truly grateful and thankful. As for offerings of their well wishes and prayers, we also welcome them and we feel truly blessed and touched by them," the family said on Monday.
On Sunday, the family said on Facebook: "The speculation and rumours on the internet can actually hinder Nayati’s return, so we urge everyone to please not post anything that is speculation based.”
Nayati’s mother Janice Smith had hoped he would be back with them in time for her birthday on Monday.
“It will be the best birthday present to have him back with us,” she told Weekend Witness on Friday.
Meanwhile, the South African government has condemned Nayati’s kidnapping.
“The South African government condemns in the strongest possible terms this act of criminality and calls on the government of Malaysia to continue with its efforts to secure the release of Nayati Moodliar and to bring the perpetrators to book,” said International Relations and Co-operation spokesperson Clayson Monyela.
“The South African High Commission in Malaysia has visited the family to express government’s support for them,” he said.
“The High Commission is in daily contact with the relevant authorities.”
