11-Month-Old Baby Goes Missing in Budiriro in Suspected Kidnapping After ‘Customer’ Offers to Babysit
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched an investigation after an 11-month-old baby went missing in a suspected case of kidnapping.
The shocking incident occurred in Budiriro, Harare, on Saturday.
The alleged kidnapper—who is still at large—was reportedly a regular customer at the family’s tuck shop and had offered to babysit the child on the day in question.
Police Confirm Baby Kidnapping Case
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident, stating:
“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.
Mother of Missing Baby Details What Happened
The distraught mother recounted what happened on the harrowing day her baby was reportedly abducted. Speaking to ZBC, she revealed that the suspect came to her home on Saturday afternoon to collect change from an earlier purchase.
“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.
Future Bonga recounted that after Chihera came to her house to collect her change, she quickly rushed to the tuck shop to fetch the money, temporarily leaving her 11-month-old baby in Chihera’s care.
Upon her return, Chihera offered to babysit the child for a while and promised to bring him back later, a request Bonga agreed to.
“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.
Bonga explained that she agreed to let Chihera babysit her 11-month-old child after the woman offered to return the baby later. Before leaving, Bonga asked Chihera to provide her phone number and directions to her house. However, when Bonga went to collect the baby around 5 PM, she was shocked to learn that no one at the given address knew Chihera. Even neighbours claimed they had never seen or heard of anyone matching her description.
“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 doesn’t stay there and they do not know anybody who fits that description, even neighbours didn’t know her.”
Also Read: MSU Student and Ex-Police Chief Arrested for Kidnapping 2-Month-Old Baby in Gweru
Father in Shock Over Disappearance
The child’s father, Simbarashe Basira, said he was stunned by the incident, as he had never met or interacted with the woman.
“When I got home around 5 PM, I did not see the baby. My wife told me the baby was taken by Chihera, a regular customer. I was surprised because I do not know her,” Basira said.
After realizing the woman and baby were missing, the family immediately filed a police report.
Police Warn Parents Against Trusting Strangers
Meanwhile, the Police have warned members of the public against trusting strangers, particularly when it comes to the safety of children.
“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.”
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The post 11-Month-Old Baby Goes Missing in Budiriro in Suspected Kidnapping After ‘Customer’ Offers to Babysit appeared first on iHarare News.
