After a routine check up, Nayati Moodliar went back to school in Kuala Lumpur, gave a talk, roused a group of his friends and walked triumphantly down the road where kidnappers had forced him into a car six days before.
The 12-year-old then walked all the way home.
“Such a nice touch, don’t you think?” said Caroline Swanepoel, Nayati’s aunt who lives in Cape Town. “We spoke to him this morning and he was in high spirits. He said that he was not injured and doing okay. For us the last week has been surreal, like a movie… but we’re all just so glad to have seen a happy ending.”
Swanepoel was speaking from the lawns of Brooke Chapel at Bishops College, where she and her family had attended “a prayer of thanksgiving”.
A prayer vigil for Nayati’s safe return had been scheduled, but following news of his safe return, Reverend Terry Wilke changed the theme.
Nayati’s father and grandfather are Bishops old boys.
Wilke’s prayer began: “Thank you God that we are gathering in thanksgiving, and not in a continuation of a prayer vigil for Nayati.
“We pray that he is whole in mind, soul and body… Bless all those who, in their own ways, supported this family in their time of need. We pray also for those criminals involved with human trafficking around the world, we pray for their hearts of stone to be turned into hearts of love.”
The congregation offered prayers of their own.
After the service Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, appealed to people around the world to pull together against kidnapping and human trafficking.
“Let us build a global community of peace and stability so that our children can continue to grow (in safety and security).”
The news of Nayati’s return broke in SA early yesterday.
“Nayati Moodliar was found at Sungai Buloh (rest and recreation area) at about 7.55am. He is now safe,” Datuk Ku Chin, Kuala Lumpur’s criminal investigation chief, told The Malaysian Insider newspaper.
The kidnappers had apparently given Nayati a cellphone to call his parents shortly after his release.
The city’s police later confirmed the family had paid an undisclosed ransom in Cheras yesterday.
The police said a special task force was investigating the kidnapping, and again called on people who had information to step forward.
According to family members, Nayati’s parents, Janice Smith and Shamelin Moodliar, were pleased with the attention the Malaysian government had given the case.
“Thank you to the Malaysian police – wow! You put Nayati’s life as top priority,” Moodliar tweeted. He thanked friends, family and “the people we don’t even know but could feel your hope and help”.
Anushia Moodliar, Moodliar’s cousin who lives in Cape Town, agreed: “There was a universal energy sent to Nayati. People everywhere, from every creed, race and language, prayed for him, and we’re very grateful for that. I really believe that that helped to bring him back safely. As to how the family this side are feeling, well we’re simply walking on air!”
Anushia said they had spoken to the family in Malaysia, but was asked not to comment further. The family will issue a press release tomorrow.
SA’s Department of International Relations and Co-operation expressed “great relief” yesterday.
The government “extends its appreciation to the government of Malaysia for its role in bringing about the release of the child, and trust that the perpetrators of the kidnapping will soon be brought to book”.
It also thanked the public for supporting the family.
A “welcome home” street party went on into the night outside the Moodliar home in Kuala Lumpur, where a few cases of beer from Guinness meant no one went thirsty.
The company had originally offered to help pay for flyers and posters in the search for Nayati.
“Ok so just got a message from Marcelino ‘stop tweetin and start drinkin’ - gonna celebrate with amazing support team now!” reads Moodliar’s second-last tweet for the day. It’s followed by: “I’ve heard some excuses but, em, ‘the kidnappers took my homework!’” - Cape Argus
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