Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
POLICE in Mutare are investigating the disappearance of a local man who was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals shortly after attending a church service last Sunday.
Themba Sithole (35), of Maonde in Sakubva allegedly boarded an unknown kombi, which had other passengers at Mudzviti Bus Terminus, intending to go to Sakubva.
Upon arrival at Paulington intersection in Sakubva, the kombi turned left towards Nyakamete Industrial Area, before Sithole was reportedly blindfolded by the occupants using a woolen cloth.
He was taken to an unknown destination where he was tied, before untying himself and texted his brother, John, that he had been kidnapped and was not familiar with his current location.
Reads part of the text which he sent in vernacular: “Hi everyone, my name is Themba Sithole. I am writing this message to everyone whose numbers I was able to find nearby. I have also encountered a problem. I have been taken by people I do not know or recognise (kidnapped). I woke up this morning, Sunday, and went to church (ZAOGA) at Meikles Park in town.
“I was supposed to meet someone after the service, who owed me money (US$320). After the church service, I collected my money. On my way back home, I walked until I got to Metro Peech, and saw a kombi calling for passengers, so I got in. Inside were people who appeared to be ordinary passengers . . .
“I do not know what is being planned, they keep coming in and out of the room where I am being kept in. My legs are chained to a metal pole in this room. We never know, these might be my last words in this world. I cannot make phone calls,” reads the text message.
The message has been doing the rounds across social media circles.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said investigations are in progress to rescue the victim and arrest the accused persons.
“On May 11, 2025 at around 10am, the complainant left his place of residence and proceeded to Mutare Central Business District where he intended to attend a ZAOGA Church Service at Meikles Park, Mutare. The church service ended at 1.30pm, and the complainant went to Mudzviti Bus Terminus, where he boarded an unknown commuter omnibus to Sakubva. The commuter omnibus had an unknown number of passengers on board. The commuter omnibus then departed toward Sakubva at around 2pm.
“Upon arrival at Paulington intersection, Sakubva, the commuter omnibus turned left towards Nyakamete Industrial Area. The complainant was blindfolded by the occupants of the commuter omnibus by woolen cloth. He was then taken to unknown destination where he was detained in a dark room with his hands tied by a rope. On the same day at around 7pm, it is suspected that the complainant managed to untie his hands and sent a text message from his mobile number to his brother, John Sithole, narrating that he had been kidnapped, and that he was not aware of his current location. John Sithole relayed the message to his father, Lovemore Sithole and a police report was made,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the crime scene was attended, but no leading information was picked.
Efforts were made to contact the victim through his mobile number, but it was unreachable.
Online Reporter