HARARE – In a chilling incident that highlights growing security concerns, a 12-year-old girl was abducted from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare on Saturday, with her kidnappers now demanding a US$2,000 ransom for her safe return.
The young girl was left in the hospital canteen by her grandmother, Viola Kutama (58), a nurse aide at the medical facility. Viola had briefly left her granddaughter, who was browsing on her mother’s mobile phone, to attend to some patients. Upon her return, the child had vanished.
Viola later received a disturbing message on her mobile phone, which read: “Tisu tine mwana wenyu tirikuda US$2000” – a chilling message in Shona, confirming the worst fears.
Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, Harare provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the kidnapping and stated that police are actively investigating the case. “Police are investigating a kidnapping case involving a minor child,” said Insp Chakanza.
This incident comes on the heels of another disturbing kidnapping case in Harare, raising serious questions about public safety and the vulnerability of citizens.
The woman, whose name has been withheld, was waiting for public transport along High Glen Road near Glen Norah Police Station on Thursday, April 24, 2025, intending to travel to her residence in Ushewokunze. She boarded a white Honda Fit, believing it to be a legitimate “mushikashika” (unofficial taxi) heading towards Ushewokunze. Two men were already seated in the back seat.
During the journey, one of the men seated next to her produced an object resembling an injection and forcibly injected her in the shoulder. The woman immediately lost consciousness, only to awaken later and realise she had been transported to Mutorashanga.
Inspector Luckmore Chakanza also confirmed this earlier kidnapping, stating, “Police are investigating a kidnapping case where a woman was driven to Mutorashanga from Harare after boarding a Mushikashika vehicle on April 24, 2025.”
The Inspector provided a detailed account of the woman’s ordeal: “On April 25, 2025, in the early morning, [the] complainant gained consciousness and realised that she was in a room which was locked from outside and had a toilet inside.”
The woman’s attempts to seek help were met with further violence. “Complainant shouted for help and one of the three accused persons got into the room, closed [the] complainant’s mouth with his hand and injected the complainant again on the right hand,” Insp Chakanza explained. “After that, the accused person locked the door from outside and went away.”
The woman was repeatedly drugged and held against her will. “On April 26, 2025, during the night, another accused person got into the room and gave [the] complainant a revive drink and biscuits and he went out,” said Insp Chakanza. “The accused who injected [the] complainant again came in the room the same day and gave [the] complainant water to bath and left.”
Finally, on April 28, the woman saw an opportunity to escape. “On April 28 during the night, [the] complainant discovered that the door was not locked and managed to escape from the house,” Insp Chakanza stated.
The woman’s escape led her to a nearby homestead, where she recounted her terrifying experience. “She reached a certain homestead and narrated her story to the family who then told [the] complainant that she was in Mutorashanga,” Insp Chakanza explained. The family assisted her in contacting her parents and provided her with bus fare to return to Harare.
Upon her return, the woman was immediately taken for medical examination. “Complainant was escorted to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for medical examination,” said Insp Chakanza.
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