Kidnapped Bulawayo Toddler Asanda Ndlovu Rescued Alive And ‘Well’ From City Flat

Bulawayo Toddler Asanda Ndlovu Found Alive And Well After Kidnapping

A wave of relief has swept across Bulawayo after a two-year-old toddler, Asanda Ndlovu—snatched from Meikles Mall on Tuesday—was discovered alive and well in a city flat on Thursday morning, bringing a dramatic end to a frantic two-day search.

The child was found in the company of a woman believed to be her kidnapper following a tip-off from a vigilant member of the public. The breakthrough came not from police, but from two sharp-eyed CCTV technicians who acted on the information, triggering a rapid response from law enforcement.

Technicians Hailed As Heroes

The two technicians from a private security firm, who specialise in installing Closed Circuit Television systems, became the unlikely heroes in this tense rescue mission. After receiving a tip, they showed the informant clearer footage, which confirmed the horrifying truth.

“The informer said she suspected the toddler was somewhere at a flat but wanted to get a closer view of the CCTV footage,” one of the technicians involved in the identification explained.

“We showed the informer a clearer footage and she confirmed that it was her she had seen. We immediately contacted CID Homicide who sprang to action and drove to the flat and true to the informant, the toddler was found,” the technician added.

Their swift actions, stitched together by community courage, turned the tide in a race against fear and time, carrying the weight of a desperate family’s hope.

Police Confirm Arrest And Rescue

The police have since confirmed the rescue, although they have yet to release the full details of the arrest. The discovery brings an end to an agonising wait that began on Tuesday morning when little Asanda went missing while accompanying her mother to work at the popular shopping complex.

Police had intensified their search for the toddler after CCTV footage captured the harrowing moment she was taken. The footage showed an unidentified male suspect, wearing a brown hooded jacket and blue work-suit trousers, carrying the child away from the area.

At the time, the suspect’s face was not visible, and the child was described as wearing a pink jersey and blue jean trousers and was barefoot.

Inspector Nomalanga Msebele had previously issued an urgent appeal to the public, stating, “A police report was filed, leading to the launch of a manhunt.” The family, who had been in a state of desperation, had pleaded with the nation for help.

Family’s Desperate Plea Answered

Just hours before the rescue, the family’s anguish was palpable. Asanda’s aunt, Sandisiwe Sibanda, had painted a grim picture of their search, revealing the emotional toll the disappearance had taken on them.

“We have been to every possible place and spoken to countless people, but there is still no trace of her,” Sibanda told a local paper earlier in the week.

“We are desperate for anyone who might know something to come forward. Every lead, no matter how small, could make a difference,” she pleaded.

“Asanda is just two years old. She is small, innocent and belongs with her family. We are asking the public to stay alert, check their surroundings and report anything that might help. Time is critical, and we cannot give up hope,” Sibanda had said.

Today, that hope has been rewarded. The child is safe, and a woman is in custody. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full circumstances of the abduction and locate the male suspect seen in the initial CCTV footage.