A four-month-old baby was reportedly kidnapped on Monday, 29 December 2025, in New Parklands, Bulawayo, after the child’s mother was allegedly lured out of her home by a stranger she met through a WhatsApp group offering free children’s clothing.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Msebele Nomalanga (pictured above) said the incident followed online communication that began two days earlier.
Inspector Msebele said the 26-year-old mother had joined a WhatsApp group called Idale Labomama about four months ago.
On 27 December, she reportedly responded to a post inviting people in need of children’s clothes to contact a listed phone number. Said Inspector Msebele:
“She contacted the number via WhatsApp and communicated with an unknown person who introduced herself as MaNdlovu of Cowdray Park and offered to deliver the clothes to her residence.”
On 29 December, around 6 AM, the suspect allegedly messaged the mother, saying she would deliver the clothes that day.
By 1 PM, the mother was instructed to wait at the corner of Harare Road and Cecil Avenue in New Parklands, near her home, to collect the items.
She left one of her four-month-old twins asleep at home while her four-year-old daughter played outside, and went to the meeting point with the other twin.
After about 15 minutes, she received another message saying someone named “Lo” had been sent to deliver the clothes, but no one turned up.
When she returned home, she discovered the baby she had left sleeping was missing and immediately reported the matter to the police.
Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward and warned parents and guardians to avoid sharing sensitive personal details online, as this can put them and their children at serious risk.
More: ZimLive
Pindula WhatsApp Channel
Facebook Page
Leave a Reply