Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporter
Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of kidnapping involving a four-month-old baby girl, which occurred in New Parklands suburb.
Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the incident began on 27 December 2025 when the baby’s 26-year-old mother saw a post on a WhatsApp channel called Idale labomama, which she had joined four months earlier, indicating that people who needed assistance with children’s clothing should contact a supplied number.
She said the mother contacted the number via WhatsApp and communicated with an unknown accused person who introduced herself only as MaNdlovu of Cowdray Park, offering to bring clothes to her residence. The mother then gave directions to her place of residence.
Inspector Msebele said on 29 December 2025 at about 6 AM, the accused person sent a message informing the mother that she would bring the clothes that day. At around 1 PM, the accused person instructed the mother to wait at the corner of Harare Road and Cecil Avenue, Parklands, Bulawayo, to collect the clothes.
She said the mother took her baby, aged four months, who is a twin, left the victim sleeping in the bedroom, left her four-year-old daughter playing outside the house and proceeded to the meeting point. After waiting for about 15 minutes, the mother received a message from the accused person stating that she had sent someone, only known as Lo, who did not arrive.
Upon returning home, Inspector Msebele said the mother discovered that the baby was missing, leading her to make a police report.
Inspector Msebele said police are appealing to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused person and the location of the baby to report to the nearest police station.
She also appealed to mothers and caregivers to be extremely cautious when dealing with strangers on social media and to avoid over-sharing sensitive information.
