An 11-month-old baby has reportedly gone missing under suspicious circumstances in Budiriro, Harare, prompting fears of a possible kidnapping.
The child’s mother, Future Bonga, revealed that the alleged kidnapper, known only as Chihera, was a regular customer at their tuck shop. Said Bonga:
This lady used to buy at our tuck shop. I have known her for the past three months. She never said her name, so I used to call her Chihera.
On Saturday, she bought something in the morning and left her change. I went home in the afternoon, and she came to my house to collect her change.
I then rushed to the tuck shop to collect the money and left her with my 11-month-old baby.
When I returned, she pleaded with me to give her my child so that she could babysit and return him later.
I agreed and asked her to leave her phone number and directions to her house. Later on, around 5 PM, I went to collect the baby, but when I arrived at the place, I asked to see Chihera, but I was told she doesnβt stay there and they do not know anybody who fits that description, even neighbours didnβt know her.
We then filed a police report. The lady, however, once told me that she had never conceived in her lifetime.
The child’s father, Simbarashe Basira, said that the incident has left the family in turmoil, especially since he had never seen or interacted with the woman involved. He said:
I go to work, and my wife is the one who takes care of the tuck shop business when I am not around. When I got home around 5 PM, I did not see the baby.
My wife told me that the baby was taken by Chihera, a regular customer. I was surprised because I do not know the lady in question.
I then told her to go and collect the baby since it was getting late. She later came back saying she could not locate both the baby and Chihera.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, has confirmed the incident and is urging parents to prioritise their children’s safety. Β He said:
The Zimbabwe Public Police is investigating a case where an 11-month-old minor was allegedly kidnapped when a suspect, who is yet to be identified, approached the mother and requested to play with the child for two hours.
In the process, she disappeared. What is puzzling is the fact that the place where the suspect resides is not known.
It is claimed that she was just coming to buy groceries at this tuck shop for the last three months. She is unknown at the address she gave to the mother.
That is why we are always appealing to parents and members of the public not to trust strangers.
When people come to you, firstly, check their particulars in any way possible and verify with the Zimbabwe Public Police.
More: ZBC News
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