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US$5 000 reward to bring back missing 4-month-old baby
7 hrs ago |
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A heart-wrenching kidnapping in Bulawayo has taken a dramatic turn, with a United Kingdom-based Good Samaritan pledging US$5,000 for the safe return of a four-month-old baby abducted from her home in New Parklands.
The infant was allegedly kidnapped on December 29 after her mother, Ms Tracy Ngwenya, was lured from the house by a stranger she had contacted through a WhatsApp group offering free children's clothing.
The anonymous benefactor, moved by the family's distress and the lack of progress, said, "I am deeply concerned about the time that has passed without the baby being found. I want the child to be returned safely."
The baby's father, Mr Sikhumbuzo Ncube, confirmed the pledge, saying the family had been in contact with the donor. "They offered to assist us financially in locating our child. So far, we have been hitting dead ends and coming across several scammers claiming to have information about the whereabouts of our baby," he said.
According to reports, Ms Ngwenya had joined a WhatsApp group called "Idale Labomama" about four months before the incident. The group, which shares information on children's clothing and related assistance, appeared to be a helpful resource for parents.
On December 27, Ms Ngwenya responded to a post requesting children's clothes and communicated via WhatsApp with an unknown woman who identified herself as MaNdlovu from Cowdray Park, offering to deliver the items to her home in New Parklands.
On December 29, Ms Ngwenya was instructed to collect the clothes at a meeting point near Harare Road and Cecil Avenue. Trusting the arrangement, she left one of her four-month-old twins asleep in the house and took the other with her. After waiting 15 minutes, she received another message that someone named "Lo" would deliver the clothes. No one arrived.
When she returned home, she discovered the baby she had left asleep was missing. "Upon realising that she had truly gone missing, I reported the matter to the police, but no progress has been made so far," Ms Ngwenya said.
Since the abduction, the family has faced numerous false leads and opportunists demanding money for information. Days have turned into weeks, but they remain hopeful for the safe return of their child.
Police have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
The infant was allegedly kidnapped on December 29 after her mother, Ms Tracy Ngwenya, was lured from the house by a stranger she had contacted through a WhatsApp group offering free children's clothing.
The anonymous benefactor, moved by the family's distress and the lack of progress, said, "I am deeply concerned about the time that has passed without the baby being found. I want the child to be returned safely."
The baby's father, Mr Sikhumbuzo Ncube, confirmed the pledge, saying the family had been in contact with the donor. "They offered to assist us financially in locating our child. So far, we have been hitting dead ends and coming across several scammers claiming to have information about the whereabouts of our baby," he said.
According to reports, Ms Ngwenya had joined a WhatsApp group called "Idale Labomama" about four months before the incident. The group, which shares information on children's clothing and related assistance, appeared to be a helpful resource for parents.
On December 27, Ms Ngwenya responded to a post requesting children's clothes and communicated via WhatsApp with an unknown woman who identified herself as MaNdlovu from Cowdray Park, offering to deliver the items to her home in New Parklands.
On December 29, Ms Ngwenya was instructed to collect the clothes at a meeting point near Harare Road and Cecil Avenue. Trusting the arrangement, she left one of her four-month-old twins asleep in the house and took the other with her. After waiting 15 minutes, she received another message that someone named "Lo" would deliver the clothes. No one arrived.
When she returned home, she discovered the baby she had left asleep was missing. "Upon realising that she had truly gone missing, I reported the matter to the police, but no progress has been made so far," Ms Ngwenya said.
Since the abduction, the family has faced numerous false leads and opportunists demanding money for information. Days have turned into weeks, but they remain hopeful for the safe return of their child.
Police have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Source - The Chronicle
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