The parents of missing Riana Pretorius have already lost two children, losing another would break them.
These were the words of a school friend of Pretorius, Geraldine Amos, who was one of the organisers of a prayer meeting held for her safe return last night, March 19.
Approximately 200 people gathered at the Newton Medical Centre in Newton Park where the 26-year-old biokineticist was abducted on Thursday morning, March 16.
While some people prayed and worship songs played while the attendees lit candles and cell phone torches, others spoke about Pretorius and how they wish for her safe return.
Next to candles spelling out, “Pray for Riana,” there was a purple plush toy swan with a note saying: “Strongs to the family. Lord, please protect this daughter of ours.”
Most of the people that spoke at the prayer meeting were people who said that they do not know Pretorius personally but her situation tugged at their heartstrings and prompted them to say something.
“This whole situation makes one feels nauseous because it has become so personal that you feel it on a different level. Many times you would watch the news about someone being kidnapped and you don’t know that person but now it’s personal because it is someone that you know and care about,” Amos said.
“It really is unbelievable. You can’t even focus at work because this has happened to someone that you know. I don’t think any parent in the world would want to go through something like this, you’d rather wish to be dead than this happen to your child, it’s horrible,” she added.
“This makes you feel like you just want to stand up for the truth and say something.”
When asked if Pretorius’s parents were at the prayer meeting, Amos said that she did not see them.
“I think they are too traumatised and probably didn’t have the courage, which is completely understandable, given what they are going through,” she said.
Pretorius has been missing for four days. With two arrests having been made and the getaway vehicle impounded, there is still no update on her whereabouts.
A ransom of R2 million has been demanded.
The investigation by The Hawks continues.
