The search continues for little Shanawaaz Asghar after he was nabbed near his school in Kensington this morning.

Hidayatul Islam Primary’s school governing body chairperson Dawood Esack says that the staff and learners are distraught following the incident.

The six-year-old was with his mother and two siblings when the group of men who were allegedly armed, snatched the boy on the corner of 4th Avenue and 9th Street and forced him into a silver VW Polo.

While there is still no indication of whether the kidnappers are demanding a ransom, there is a growing concern about the rise in abduction cases in South Africa.

The National Freedom Party’s Munzoor Shaik Emam had previously said that it’s no longer just sophisticated criminal syndicates involved in this type of crime.

He believes copycat kidnapping syndicates are in the mix and working in various parts of the country.

Over the past few years, several South African businessmen have been kidnapped.