Johannesburg - Gauteng MEC for community safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane on Saturday said she was shocked by the kidnapping of a three-year-old in the Ramaphosa informal settlement near Reiger Park.
"This emerging trend of kids falling victim to atrocious crimes is worrying and I appeal to community members to exert vigilance and report these incidence to the police, even do it anonymously in the event that they fear for their safety," she said in a statement.
She said she was convinced that the special task team set up by the police will find the boy and ensure those responsible face the might of the law.
On Friday, police said a search was underway for a male who was last seen with the boy.
The boy, Curburne Lavone van Wyk, was last seen with Katleho Phoku known as Chicken.
The boy was allegedly kidnapped while he was playing outside near his home on Wednesday evening, Lt Kwenzakwakhe Ngobese said on Friday.
His parents reported him missing on Thursday morning.
The boy was still believed to be in the area.
"We received information that someone had seen the boy in the area," said Ngobese.
A case of kidnapping had been opened and police were investigating.