Johannesburg police were on Sunday continuing their investigation into the dramatic kidnapping of 21-year-old Leigh Matthews from Bond University in Sandton. Superintendent Chris Wilken said no developments had occurred since a media briefing on Saturday night.
”The Serious and Violent Crime Unit is continuing their the investigation,” he said.
Matthews’ kidnappers demanded ransom money from her parents. Wilken said Matthews’ family met the suspects’ demands, but had since had no contact with them or their daughter.
Wilken said a task team had been appointed to investigate the kidnapping and they would work around the clock.
On a night when he should have been celebrating his daughter’s 21st birthday, Leigh’s father Rob Matthews was instead at the Johannesburg Central police station, talking to the media to try to get her back.
”The kidnapper was adamant that police should not be involved, but this morning when commitments were not held, we felt that further help was needed,” Matthews told journalists.
”As a parent when the time runs out you cannot sit still and wait any more, Please. Please give her back.”
When no breakthrough was made by late Saturday the family asked police to involve the community through the media to get their daughter back.
Matthews said his daughter Leigh was kidnapped on Friday morning at Bond University in Sandton where she was studying a BComm Finance.
He described his daughter as five foot five with long blond hair and a ”stunning smile”.
She was last seen dressed in blue jeans, a brown/reddish polo neck top and a black leather jacket.
Matthews said he talked to the kidnapper throughout Friday afternoon and even once had a chance to speak to his daughter.
”She told me to follow the instructions not to involve the police and that she was not hurt.”
Matthews said he had no reason to believe that the kidnapper would not play his part. He said that he had followed all the instructions, and now it was the kidnapper’s time to play his part.
”The drop off was made 24 hours ago. In my mind the release should have taken place by now.”
He pleaded with the kidnapper to ”stay with the commitments made”.
Matthews, an accountant, and the family live in Fourways. He said he had no idea why his child had been targeted.
”Maybe she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, I don’t know.”
The Serious and Violent Crime Unit had taken over the investigation, said police spokesperson Chris Wilken.
He said they did not know how the kidnapping happened, or how many people were involved. Leigh’s car was found not far from the college.
Wilken said a task team had been appointed to investigate the kidnapping and they would work around the clock to get the victim back.
Gabriel Hall the investigating officer in the case told the journalists they still hope for a ”basic safe return” of Leigh. – Sapa