Police launch manhunt for missing toddler

Police in Bulawayo have launched a manhunt for two-year-old Asandra Ndhlovu, who was allegedly kidnapped at a local mall at the corner of L. Takawira Avenue and J. Moyo Street on February 17, 2026.

Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident, dismissing social media reports claiming the child had been found. She urged anyone with information to contact the child's mother on 0718333182 or 0777949816, or report to the nearest police station.

The mother, a 25-year-old resident of New Lobengula, Bulawayo, was attending to customers at her workplace while her daughter played nearby. About 20 minutes later, she discovered the child was missing.

Mall CCTV footage reportedly shows an unidentified male suspect wearing a brown hooded jacket and blue work-suit trousers carrying the toddler out of the mall. The child was dressed in a pink jersey, blue jean trousers, and was barefoot at the time of the abduction.

"A police report was filed, leading to the launch of a manhunt," Msebele said, appealing to the public for assistance in locating the missing toddler.

Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward to aid in the safe recovery of Asandra Ndhlovu.