Caldene Philander claims that her niece was allegedly almost kidnapped from school by a woman claiming to be the child's mother.
Caldene said that her niece who is in Grade 12 at Cedar High School was approached by a woman unbeknownst to her on 14 March on the school premises.
The aunt explains: “This woman had access to the entire school for more than 30 minutes, asking the learners where my niece is and then approached my niece and spoke to her for more than 10 minutes with no supervision of a teacher.
"This woman who I knew from more than 20 years back because we were in school together requested that my niece leave with her for DNA tests because she believes my niece is related to her and there is an inheritance of millions for my niece.
"I phoned the principal the Monday to find out what happened and why this woman has access to the school. The principal could not give me an answer. We are now making provision for my daughter going to school and coming back however this took place at the school.”
The family went to lay a charge of attempted kidnapping and police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed and said that the matter is under investigation.
He reports: “Be advised that the mentioned case number is an attempt to commit an offence in chapter 2 of prevention and combatting of trafficking in persons act case registered at Mitchells Plain SAPS for investigation.
"According to reports the incident happened on 14 March 2025 at 10am at Weltevreden Road, Rocklands, Mitchells Plain. No arrest as yet, investigations continues."
Caldene says that the matter has left the learner traumatised.
She said that the school asked if private counselling can be provided for the learner as the school could allegedly only offer one counselling session.
Bronagh Hammond from the Western Cape Education Department says: “The WCED is aware of the incident. We do, however, disagree that the learner was nearly 'kidnapped'.
"A female, well known in the community, came onto the premises claiming to report a family death to a learner. The learner was accompanied by two friends. Following a brief discussion the learner approached school staff and taken to a private room. The female was escorted out the school premises."
The learner has received counselling from the WCED district-based support teams. The school has also reviewed its security policies and access control measures following the incident.”
However, Caldene refutes the statement made by the WCED.
She says: “Why are they not including the fact that she came and signed into the school saying that she is [my niece's] mother? How can she come to [my niece] about a death in her family if she is not related to her?"