Zimbabwean Child Abductor Caught Red-Handed After Stealing Child (Photos)

There was chaos in Mutare’s Dangamvura suburb on Wednesday after a woman was caught redhanded after allegedly stealing a child. Members of the public who apprehended the woman attacked her as they meted out “instant justice.”

The incident was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police who warned members of the public against the practice of meting out instant justice by assaulting suspected social misfits.

In an update on their official Twitter page, the police wrote,

“Police in Mutare are investigating a case of kidnapping, where a woman approximately 30 years old, snatched a minor (2) today in Dangamvura.

“The suspect, who was clad in apostolic white garments, was noticed by an alert neighbour whilst walking away with the baby before she was attacked by members of the public. Meanwhile, the ZRP warns members of the public against meting instant justice”

The woman has so far been identified only as Melody. At the time of publishing, it was yet to be established what her motive may have been for stealing the child. She is expected to appear in court soon.

In the last year, the country has noted an alarming increase in the number of children who have been abducted and killed, mainly for ritual purposes.

One of the most prominent cases is the murder of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore of Murewa, who was murdered on the instructions of his uncles Tapiwa Makore (senior) and Thanks Makore.

Recently, two Grade 1 pupils who went missing in Nyanga last month were discovered murdered and dumped in a disused pit latrine toilet. Cousins Dilan and Melissa Benza of Sambaza Village, in Nyanga, went missing after they went to school, about 4 kilometres from their home. Two suspects have since been arrested on suspicion of murdering the two cousins.

In another horrific case, 6-year-old Mitchel Musharu from Bikita was discovered murdered and dumped in a neighbour’s septic tank. The police are yet to make arrests in connection with the case.

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