Child kidnapped from busy Bulawayo mall is found unharmed in city flat
BULAWAYO — A two-year-old tot who was kidnapped in broad daylight at Meikles Mall in Bulawayo has been found alive and safely reunited with her mother.
This followed a police raid at a block of flats in the city prompted by a tip-off from a member of the public.
Asanda Ndlovu was taken from the city centre mall at around 10.30AM on Tuesday, sparking widespread concern after CCTV footage showed a man carrying her out of the premises.
Her mother, who works as a shopkeeper at the mall, had briefly lost sight of the child while serving a customer before discovering she was missing.
A public appeal for information, amplified by Bulawayo mayor David Coltart, was subsequently made as police launched an investigation.
In a dramatic breakthrough on Thursday morning, a witness came forward claiming to have seen a child matching Asanda’s description at a flat in the city.
Police swiftly raided the property and recovered the toddler, who was reportedly unharmed. She has since been reunited with her mother.
A woman who was caring for baby Asanda was led away in handcuffs as she protested that she had nothing to do with the kidnapping, a video filmed during the rescue showed.
Bulawayo police said they would issue a statement shortly.
