Delight Guma
KADOMA, Zimbabwe — A 25-year-old man was sentenced to eight months in prison on Friday by the Kadoma Magistrates’ Court for kidnapping a 16-year-old girl who boarded his vehicle at Patchway Business Centre, Kadoma.
The Court heard that the man diverted from the usual route “under the pretext of refuelling”, and drove towards Harare, depriving the girl of her freedom.
At the 79-kilometre peg on the Harare–Bulawayo Road, the teenager alerted officers at a police roadblock, which led to his arrest.
He was detained at Saruwe Police Station and later convicted.
This case illustrates how unruly elements in our society pose a threat to children’s safety.
In May, police investigated a kidnapping at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital after a 12-year-old girl’s family received a US$2,000 ransom demand, according to Harare police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza.
In June, an 11-month-old Budiriro baby who vanished after a woman allegedly lured the mother was later found and reunited with the parents.
The police have previously warned that learners are being targeted.
“The ZRP is concerned with cases of kidnapping in which learners are being targeted,” national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said after separate cases involving pupils in Harare and Chinhoyi.
