CHIREDZI– A job offer turned into horror for 19-year-old Letwin Ngandini after a stranger who had allegedly hired her for cleaning work at her house disappeared with her four month old baby when she stepped away to fetch a shovel. Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident, which occurred on November 13, along Sweetview road around 12 PM. Circumstances are that Ngandini, was approached by the suspect, who claimed they needed a helper to clean the house that was still under construction.
Ngandini, who had her baby with her at the time, agreed to help. The two reportedly walked about 500 metres to the site where the suspect explained the tasks before instructing Ngandini to go and look for a shovel to begin the work. Ngandini left her baby in the care of the alleged employer.
When she returned about 30 minutes later, both the suspect and the baby had vanished. Inspector Dhewa said police were treating the matter as a kidnapping case and appealed for information that may assist in identifying the suspect. As the search for the missing infant continues, this heart breaking case forces a difficult conversation about parental responsibility.
[paywall]
The vulnerability of a child demands the highest level of protection from those they depend on. In September last year, another kid was kidnapped in Chiredzi but was recovered within 12 hours. Circumstances were that on September 2, 2024 at about 0800 hours, the complainant, Epiphania Kwangware of Manyika compound in Mkwasine, went to Chiredzi General Hospital with her baby for vaccination.
[/paywall]
