Online Reporter
Peter Matika and Michelle Musandinyoze
A HEARTLESS kidnapping that has left a Bulawayo family shattered has taken a dramatic twist, with a United Kingdom-based Good Samaritan offering a substantial reward for the safe return of a four-month-old baby snatched from her home in New Parklands.
The infant was allegedly abducted on December 29 last year after her mother was lured out of the house by a stranger she had met through a WhatsApp group, offering free children’s clothing.
The anonymous well-wisher, moved by the family’s anguish and the passage of time without a breakthrough, has pledged US$5 000 to anyone who can assist in bringing the child home safely.
“I am deeply concerned about the time that has passed without the baby being found. I want the child to be returned safely,” said the Good Samaritan, who requested anonymity.
The baby’s father, Mr Sikhumbuzo Ncube, confirmed the development, saying the family had been in communication with the benefactor.
“We have been in touch. They offered to assist us financially in locating our child. So far, we have been hitting dead ends and coming across several scammers claiming to have information about the whereabouts of our baby,” said Mr Ncube.
What began as a simple act of hope for assistance has since turned into a nightmare.
According to reports, the child’s mother, Ms Tracy Ngwenya, had joined a WhatsApp channel called “Idale Labomama” about four months before the incident. The group, which reportedly shares information about children’s clothing and related assistance, appeared to be a lifeline for many parents.
On December 27, Ms Ngwenya responded to a post inviting people in need of children’s clothes to contact a listed phone number.
She communicated via WhatsApp with an unknown woman, who identified herself only as MaNdlovu from Cowdray Park and offered to personally deliver the clothes to her residence in New Parklands.
On the morning of December 29, at around 6AM, the suspect allegedly messaged Ms Ngwenya to say she would deliver the clothes that same day.
Hours later, at about 1PM, Ms Ngwenya was instructed to wait at the corner of Harare Road and Cecil Avenue — a short distance from her home — to collect the items.
Trusting the arrangement, Ms Ngwenya left one of her four-month-old twins asleep in a bedroom. Her four-year-old daughter was playing outside. She then proceeded to the meeting point carrying the other twin.
After waiting for approximately 15 minutes, she received another message stating that someone identified only as “Lo” had been sent to deliver the clothes.
No one arrived.
Growing anxious, Ms Ngwenya returned home — only to be confronted by every parent’s worst fear.
The baby she had left sleeping in the bedroom was gone.
“I had left one of my four-month-old twins in the bedroom where she was sleeping at home in the company of my four-year-old daughter, who was playing outside, and proceeded to meet the woman with the other twin.
“When I arrived at home, I realised my child was missing and started asking around to anyone who might have seen her,” she said.
“Upon realising that she had been truly missing, I then reported the matter to the police and no progress has been made so far.”
Since then, the family says they have been inundated with false leads and opportunists demanding money in exchange for information.
As days turn into weeks, the family remains trapped in agonising uncertainty, clinging to hope that their baby will be found and returned unharmed.
Police were not ready to comment on the matter.
