Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, says he
believes a ransom worth millions has been paid for the safe return of Liayaqat
Parker.
Plato says he is relieved that Parker has been safely returned to
his family.
The 65-year-old business man was kidnapped at his business
premises in Parow on Monday 9 July.
Parker was returned to his family yesterday (Monday 17 September) after being
held in captivity for over two months.
Plato says police have remained tight-lipped about the
investigation, leaving speculation to continue as to their involvement in Parker’s return or “capabilities to arrest
those responsible”.
According to Plato, Parker’s safe return seems to have been the
result of the apparent extortion of large sums of money from the family. “This
raises serious questions on Saps’ role in combating and prevention of
kidnappings in the province involving prominent business people.”
Plato says as part of his oversight mandate over policing in the
province, he will ask the provincial police management for an update on the
investigation when they appear before a provincial cabinet meeting tomorrow
(Wednesday 19 September).
“Despite the safe return of Parker, we need to unmask those
responsible and ensure they receive their day in court to face the full might
of the law. This will unnerve those contemplating similar crimes, because they
will be caught and will go to jail,” Plato adds.
Plato says if the police have been instrumental in the return of
Parker, the Western Cape Government would be the first to congratulate them on
a sterling job done. However, the opposite currently seems to be true, he
insists.
“We remain concerned by the kidnapping incidents involving
prominent business people, for the apparent extortion of money. We are further
concerned by recent reports of kidnapping of children. These matters require
priority attention from Saps.
“The police need to assure the public that they are doing
everything in their power to prevent kidnappings in the province. Safety is
everyone’s responsibility and I call on the public to assist the police in
their investigation ongoing investigation.”
Read the original story of Parker’s safe return https://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Tygerburger/kidnapped-parow-businessman-back-home-with-his-family-20180918
