The African National Congress has added its voice to pleas for the return of Leigh Matthews, abducted last week and held to ransom.
”The nation must reject this with the contempt it deserves. The trauma and anguish that Leigh’s parents are going through is unwarranted and unnecessary,” the ruling party said in a statement on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg police Superintendent Chris Wilken said many people have been calling in with information that they thought might be useful.
”We are getting a lot of support from the public. We cannot ignore any information. We follow up every single bit.”
Leigh (21) disappeared from outside Bond University in Sandton on Friday morning.
Her parents were telephoned and told to pay a certain amount of money, and not to involve the police.
Rob Matthews, her father, said he had followed all the instructions. He only involved the police 24 hours later when his child was not returned.
Matthews believes his child could be anywhere in the country.
Wilken said police are looking into all possibilities, but was unable to confirm that she has not left South Africa.
A 24-hour call centre has been set up and a reward has been offered for information leading to Leigh’s safe return.
He said anyone with information should call Tel: (011) 497 7343 or 082 568 4668.
”It is indeed a sad day in the life of our country that such culture has found its way into our society,” ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said.
He asked the nation to support the Matthews family in any way possible to ensure their daughter is returned to them safely.
Leigh is 1,5m in height. She has long blonde hair and was wearing a red sweater and blue jeans at the time of her disappearance. — Sapa