An eight-year-old Ravensmead girl is missing and the man police are searching for in connection with her kidnapping is
a convicted murderer.
An around-the-clock search was called involving patrollers and the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit (WCMPU) at the weekend to look for Tazne van Wyk, who was last seen outside her home in Clare Street, Connaught Estate, on
Friday afternoon.
Police have released a picture of Moyhdien Pangkagker, 54, who recently moved into the street, after a witness saw him walking with the Grade 3 pupil from Eurecon Primary School.
CONNECTION: It is suspected Moyhdien Pangkagker took Tazne.
Her frantic father, Terence, 31, says he was at home looking after Tazne’s four-year-old sister, Tamzin, and baby
sister, Tamlyn, at the time of her disappearance.
“ Sy het 2pm uit die skool (gegaan) en ek onthou want daai is die tyd wat die krag aan slat. Dit was load shedding,” he explains.
“ Ek sien sy het nuwe sandals aan en haar skool skoene is in haar sak, en toe vra ek vir haar waar kry sy dit.”
FEARFUL: Tazne van Wyk, eight. Picture supplied
The father says he got a skrik when she said an aunty in the community gave them to her, but when they questioned the woman after her disappearance, they learnt this was not true and believe Pangkagker gave her the shoes.
“ Ek het net hier by die deur gestaan en toe hoor ek sy vra vir iemand hoeveel entjies moet sy koop,” says Terence.
“ Ek het niks gedink omdat die winkel reg oor die pad is. Maar toe sy nie terug kom na vyf minute, begin ek te worry.
“Ek was besig om die baby te sus daai tyd toe kom ek agter Tazne is weg.”
Her mother Carmen, 28, was at work at the time and the parents reported the matter to the Ravensmead police station.
The next day the rumours swirled that Pangkagker had taken her child and her blood ran cold when she heard he was allegedly out on parole.
WORRY: Parents Terence, 31 and Carmen, 28, just want their daughter to be returned. Picture: Monique Duval
“We don’t even know him. He came to this street a few weeks ago and was living by a neighbour. We are very worried and just want our child safe,” she says.
Pangkagker’s brother-in-law, Stanley Adams, 67, says he came to their home on 31 January looking for a place to sleep.
“ Hy is my oorledende vrou se broer en ek weet hy was in die tronk vir sy eie kind ontvoer uit ’n hospitaal maar ek weet van niks anders,” he says.
“ Op Vrydagmiddag het ons agter gekom hy is ook missing, toe sien ek dat sommige van sy goed is weg.”
Stanley gave the suspect’s picture to police.
A source revealed to the Daily Voice that Pangkagker was convicted of murder in 2001 and there is a warrant of arrest out for him in Ladysmith.
“His record shows he was convicted of murder in Kuils River in 2001 en hy het straf gekry. He is out on parole and Ladysmith police have issued a warrant of arrest for violating his parole conditions.”
WCMPU director Candice van der Rheede says hundreds of people have joined the search in various areas, including Uitsig, Clarke’s Estate, Bishop Lavis, Delft and the Malawi Camp.
HUNT: Patrollers gather in Ravensmead.
On Sunday, a large group of patrollers prayed outside her parents’ home before resuming their search.
Anyone who has seen the girl or the suspect is asked to call Sergeant Dale Franks on 082 334 8772.