Kidnapped boy found naked

near his home, naked.
The boy was allegedly snatched by four unknown men during a church service at the United Family International Church that was attended by nearly 40 000 people at Glamis Arena.

Tapiwa Mboto was found two days later along a river near his home in Manyame Park in Chitungwiza.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau confirmed the incident.
“The victim, who was in the company of his stepmother and her two children, went to the United Family International church service which was being held at the Glamis Arena,” he said.

“At around 1200hours, the boy left the stepmother going to the toilet.”
Insp Sabau said along the way, he was given R5 by an unknown usher to buy mineral water.
After 15 minutes, the stepmother followed to the toilet and could not locate the boy till the end of the church service.

A report was then made to the police.
“On October 11, the boy was found dumped at a river near their home in Manyame Park,” said Insp Sabau.
Tapiwa told the police that he did not get to the toilet, but was manhandled by four men who bundled him into a green twin-cab vehicle and took him to an unknown place.

“He said he stayed in the car and the four men did not give him anything to eat.
“The men later stripped him naked before they dumped him,” said Inspector Sabau.
Children who were walking along the river spotted Tapiwa and rushed to inform her stepmother.

He was later taken to hospital for medical examination. Police are still investigating the case and looking for the suspects who are still at large.
Tapiwa’s stepmother, Mrs Margaret Kandaona, said the boy was dumped at around 4am near Hunyani River in Chitungwiza.

“They stripped him naked and threw his clothes in the river.
“They left him and the clothes before driving off.

“He was very weak, but he is now recovering,” she said.