KIDNAP TOT FOUND ALIVE . . . Parents tell of their joy

The map details a possible route travelled by little Wethembekile after being stolen from Pumula South to Pelandaba and the inset (bottom) shows the parents reunited with their child

Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A ONE-YEAR-OLD baby said kidnapped from her home during a midnight raid by a burglar in Bulawayo’s Pumula suburb has been found alive.
Little Wethembekile Dube was found wandering in nearby Pelandaba suburb, some seven kilometres from her home, on Monday night after vanishing on Friday night.

She had a note with a written message stuck to her chest, police said.
Wethembekile’s mother, Finnishgale Mpofu, said her baby was unharmed save for a few mosquito bites. “I’m happy my baby is alive and I thank God for his mercies,” she told Chronicle as she left Bulawayo Central Police Station last night. It’s like a dream. The baby is fine, but has a few mosquito bites. I’m grateful she’s alive and that police will eventually get to the bottom of this.”

Police last night said they were pursuing several leads, including the note which they found on the baby. Sources say it was addressed to a male individual and contained information which investigators have asked this newspaper not to reveal for fear of jeopardising their investigation.

Inspector Abednico Ncube, the acting spokesman for Bulawayo police, said: “The lost baby was found by a soldier at around 9PM on Monday.

“According to her, the baby looked lost and stood at her gate. She was later identified by our officers who handed her over to her parents by 11PM. We’re glad the baby was found alive but I can’t say much on what was written on that piece of paper as that may interfere with police investigations.”

Wethembekile underwent medical examinations at a local hospital and was passed fit to return to her family.
She smiled for our cameras as her dad, Maphendla Dube, stroked her fingers.

The relieved Dube said: “We’re just happy that our daughter is alive. The police have asked us to leave the investigation to them and say little.”

Wethembekile’s disappearance on Friday night had puzzled even seasoned detectives.
Her parents – who live in a two-roomed house comprising a kitchen and bedroom – told investigators a brick was thrown at the bedroom window, shattering a glass pane.

Both parents went out to investigate, leaving Wethembikile sleeping in the bedroom. They returned to find her gone, they said.