adminJane Siwala (22) of Chiworeka Village under chief Dandawa in Hurungwe went to seek medical assistance at Chidamoyo Mission Hospital last week when her baby started crying.
In the hospital queue was Alerter Tungamberi (20) of House Number 567 White House at Magunje Growth Point who offered to help calm the baby.
Siwala handed over the baby to her.
A few minutes after the baby had calmed down, Tungamberi indicated to Siwala that she was thirsty and wanted to drink water from a tap near the male wards.
After sometime, Siwala started looking for Tungamberi and her child, but they were nowhere to be found.
During investigations police managed to track Tungamberi and found the baby in good condition during an early morning raid at her house two days later.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the incident, adding that investigations were still in progress.
“We received a report that a child had gone missing after the mother gave it to a woman she was seated next to in a queue at Chidamoyo Hospital and we are still carrying out investigations to establish the motive for stealing the baby,” he said.
Insp Mabgweazara said indications were that Tungamberi had just lost her pregnancy and could have been trying to convince people that she gave birth.
“It shows that the woman really wanted the baby and was prepared to do anything to get the baby,” he said.
“We would like to urge parents to look after their children and avoid giving their children to strangers.”
Online Reporter