PMB escape teen trafficking attempts

AN 18yearold Pietermaritzburg teenager has spoken out about how she and her three friends survived a horror weekend after being lured to a non-existent camp.

While walking on a road in the Edendale area recently, the teenager and her friends were approached by an imposter who handed them brochures advertising a Wizzkids Youth Camp.

This was the start of an ordeal in which they were locked in a room in Amanzimtoti for an entire weekend.

The brochure, written in isiZulu, said they would be taught about self discipline and how a young woman should conduct herself.

The terrified teens were released on Monday after simply being told they did not meet the requirements because of scars on their bodies.

Following the incident, WhizzKids United in Edendale has since issued a warning to parents and members of the public as the imposter used their name to attract the teenagers.

According to the centre, the woman who approached the teens is believed to live around Edendale.

Pietermaritzburg South cluster police spokesperson Mthokozisi Ngobese said it would be difficult for WhizzKids to open a case unless they take one of the victims to a police station with them.

WHIZZKIDS is an innovative educational programme that uses soccer to teach youngsters about life skills, gender equality and sexual health, in and around Edendale.