Kombi owner abducts boy (5), draws his blood using a syringe

POLICE in Shurugwi have arrested a commuter omnibus operator and his employee after the two recently allegedly abducted a five-year-old boy at his home during the night and went on to draw his blood using a syringe.

The two suspects, Bothwell Chihuta (33), who runs a fleet of kombis written "Senior Botha" and his accomplice, Joachim Chidende, whose age was not given, went on to allegedly dump their five-year-old victim by the roadside near Donga police base.

The incident, suspected to be a ritual move meant to enhance Chihuta's businesses, occurred on Wednesday last week.

Police sources in Shurugwi said Chihuta and his accomplice drove away along the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road where they dumped their victim.

The two accused who had been on the run were arrested on Monday.

Acting police spokesperson for Midlands, Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, yesterday confirmed the incident and the arrest of Chihuta and Chidende.

"It is alleged that the boy was asleep with his mother when the two arrived at their home during the night on Wednesday last week. One of the suspects entered the house and assaulted the mother with open hands while ordering her to remain silent," said Asst Insp Mahoko.

He said one of the suspects forcibly grabbed the boy from her mother and gave him to his accomplice who was standing at the door covering his face with a cloth. "The two suspects then took the five-year-old boy into their car which was parked some metres from the house and drove away," said  Asst Insp Mahoko.

He said the mother then alerted neighbours who immediately accompanied her to Donga police base in Chachacha to make a report. "After some minutes, the two suspects dumped the boy by the roadside, a few metres from Donga police base," he said.

Asst Insp Mahoko said the boy then went to Donga police base and narrated his ordeal at the hands of his kidnappers.

"At the police base, the boy indicated that the two suspects had injected him and drew blood from his body. The boy was then taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was admitted for three days while he received more blood," he said.

Insp Mahoko said police investigations later led to the arrest of Chihuta and Chidende.

Chihuta and Chidende were yesterday arraigned before Shurugwi magistrate Mrs Evia Matura facing kidnapping charges.

They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to 4 April.

Mr Taurai Mudoti appeared for the State.