Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo
A two-month-old baby girl mysteriously vanished in the Gweru City Centre on Saturday afternoon while her mother had briefly stepped away to buy bananas.
Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident. “A two month old baby girl was allegedly snatched by an unknown person at Edgars Stores veranda, Gweru Central Business District on November 15 at about 1:40 pm,” he said.
The baby’s mother, Faith Jakaza (26), had just breast fed her and placed her in the care of her six year old daughter for a moment. Insp Mahoko said the brief moment was all it took. “She briefly left the baby on the lap of the baby’s six year old sister going to buy bananas from a nearby vendor. On turning back after a few minutes, the mother discovered the elder daughter now without the baby saying the baby had been snatched away,” he said.
Panic erupted as Jakaza screamed for help, frantically searching the busy pavement, but the infant was nowhere to be found. Within minutes the crowds swelled, but the trail had already gone cold.
Police are now treating the case as a suspected child snatching and have launched a full scale investigation. Insp Mahoko urged members of the public to assist. “We appeal for any information that can help in locating the culprit and recover the baby. On the same note we also advise mothers or persons with custody of babies and children to always keep them under close monitoring,” he said.
