Eight-year-old Abirah Dekhta was smiling and appeared to look physically healthy following her more than week-long kidnapping ordeal. That’s the word of Gatesville Neighbourhood Watch Fouzia Veerasamy who met the child on Monday night following her safe return.

Abirah was rescued by police during an intelligence-led integrated operation in Khayelitsha. She was found in a shack in Town Two. Police say several people are being questioned in connection with this crime.

Gatesville Neighbourhood Watch Fouzia Veerasamy says from this successful police operation, they need to learn and build momentum, adding that they want to see a quicker response from SAPS.

During Abirah kidnapping at least three protests were held in an attempt to pressure police to act more swiftly on her case and put a stop to the spate of kidnappings targeting business people and their relatives. At least one of the protests saw the Gatesville community march to the Athlone police station where they blocked the busy intersection at Jan Smuts Drive and Klipfontein Road.