Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A ROUTINE trip to the toilet turned into every parent’s worst nightmare for a Dora Camp mother when a stranger allegedly grabbed her naked three-year-old son by the neck and attempted to flee with him in broad daylight.
The dramatic kidnapping attempt sparked a frantic rescue effort by alert neighbours, who chased down the suspect and snatched the terrified toddler from his grip.
The suspect, Lloyd Zviyuya (40), popularly known as Dingo, has since been convicted of kidnapping by Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, and was sentenced to five years in prison.
One year of the sentence was suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective four-year jail term.
In passing sentence, Mr Mahwe considered that Zviuya was a first-time offender and had pleaded guilty.
However, the court took into account the seriousness of the offence, particularly the fact that the victim was a vulnerable three-year-old child who could not adequately protect himself.
Prosecuting, Mr Chris Munyuku, said the incident occurred on October 25 at around 1pm at Dora Camp, near Taguta Stone Crushers under Chief Zimunya, Mutare.
Zviyuya watched the child as he emerged from a toilet situated about 30 metres from his family’s home before grabbing him by the neck and forcibly moving him about 100 metres away.
“He lifted the toddler and attempted to flee while the child struggled to free himself from his grip. The incident was witnessed by a 61-year-old neighbour who raised alarm, prompting other villagers to intervene. A 27-year-old neighbour confronted Zviyuya and managed to wrestle the child away from him. Zviyuya was subsequently arrested,” reads part of the State outline.
When The Manica Post visited the family home on Monday, the boy’s mother, Mrs Patience Chibaya, recalled the terrifying moments that unfolded.
She said she was inside the house when her son asked permission to use the toilet, a short distance away. Having made the trip alone many times before, there was no reason to suspect danger.
Moments later, frantic screams from neighbours shattered the afternoon calm.
“When I heard people shouting that my child had been kidnapped, I rushed outside. I found neighbours confronting the man, who had already abandoned my son and was throwing stones at people trying to stop him.
“He grabbed my child as he came out of the toilet. I cannot imagine what would have happened had the neighbours not intervened. It was a frightening experience,” said Mrs Chibaya.
Villagers eventually overpowered Zviyuya, tied him up and handed him over to police.
Although her son escaped unharmed, Mrs Chibaya said the incident left both mother and child deeply traumatised.
“I am still traumatised. We hear reports of children disappearing almost every day, and my own child went through such an ordeal. He is now afraid of strangers and no longer feels comfortable going outside.
“Even with the hot weather, I prefer staying indoors with him because I am afraid of what might happen if I let him out,” she said.
Mrs Chibaya said some of Zviyuya’s relatives later approached the family, claiming he had begun exhibiting signs of mental illness the day before the incident.
They also allegedly told the family that Zviyuya had previously been linked to another case involving the abduction of a three-year-old child who was later released unharmed.
A neighbour who witnessed the drama, Mrs Emilia Madondo, said the incident unfolded shortly after she saw Zviyuya chasing another villager while carrying a shovel.
“He appeared excited and was shouting: ‘Yafa mari!’ before disappearing. Later, he turned his attention to the toddler. He grabbed him, pressed him against his chest and held him by the neck. The child was struggling to get free as he tried to run away with him,” she said.
Mrs Madondo said the distressed child appeared confused and unable to comprehend what was happening.
“Another woman immediately called the mother, while the boy’s brother asked Zviyuya where he was taking the child,” she said.
Mrs Madondo said Zviyuya claimed he wanted to show the toddler where his father was.
However, after neighbours rescued the child, he allegedly became violent and hurled stones at those confronting him before being subdued.
Mrs Madondo added that villagers later learnt Zviyuya had allegedly attempted to seize another child near local shops earlier that day, but was thwarted by vigilant community members.
Another neighbour, Mrs Anna Zendera, said the shocking incident had left parents fearing for their children’s safety.
“No one is safe when someone can simply walk up to a child and snatch them away. We appeal to the police to ensure that people involved in such acts are arrested and brought before the courts.
“As mothers, we are worried about what could have happened to this little boy had our neighbours not acted quickly,” she said.
Child (3) kidnapped outside toilet
