An owner of a small neighbourhood shop was allegedly kidnapped in broad daylight in Rusthof, Strand, last Wednesday (15 March).
Dawit Abiso (40) was busy offloading stock outside his shop in Tokai Road when a white Isuzu bakkie with an unknown licence plate pulled up. Two men jumped out with firearms, forcing him into the bakkie. The suspects looted two cellphones, a Samsung J1 and Samsung A3, from the shop before returning to the vehicle and speeding off.
Strand police confirmed the incident, which reportedly took place around noon on Wednesday. Police are investigating a case of kidnapping and at the time of going to print on Monday (20 March), Abiso was still missing.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette visited the shop on Thursday 16 March and spoke to a shop assistant on the condition of anonymity.
“The owner was busy outside when he was taken,” he said. “It all happened so suddenly and I don’t know why he was taken.”
The shop assistant then expressed not wanting to elaborate any further.
Warrant Officer Nico Beukes, spokesperson for Strand police, confirmed a third suspect, the driver of the vehicle, was waiting in the bakkie as the two other suspects grabbed Abiso.
“No shots were fired in the incident and the victim has still not been found,” he added.
Video footage of the incident will be studied by the police and their anti-kidnapping unit had been notified.
