Police in Midlands Province have arrested a 16-year-old housemaid who was employed in Zvishavane for kidnapping her employer’s eight-month-old baby and for stealing from her.
The maid kidnapped the baby a day after she was employed.
ZRP Midlands provincial spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest to NewZimbabwe.com, saying the maid is from Mushandike Resettlement Scheme in Masvingo. He said:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of a female juvenile aged 16 of Village 15 Mushandike Resettlement Scheme, Masvingo, in connection with a case of kidnapping after she stole an eight-month-old baby.
In brief, the circumstances are that on 9 April 2023, the suspect, Evidence Hove got employed as a domestic maid by Memory Sibanda aged 38 in Mandava Township in Zvishavane.
The following morning on 10 April 2023 she was left taking care of four children aged 14, 12, 8 years and the youngest aged 8 months, while the employer went away.
Police said soon after the employer left, Evidence stole US$60 and went away with the eight-month-old Junior Marenga leaving the other three children behind.
Sibanda was informed about the incident and when the maid failed to return a report was made to ZRP Zvishavane.
The police arrested the maid on 12 April at around 10 AM at Village 7 Sovelele in Sandawana, with the baby in her custody.
Police took the victim to Zvishavane District Hospital for examinations.
Inspector Mahoko urged members of the public to ensure that they employ housemaids who have traceable records.
He said prospective employers should have their maids vetted by police before employing them. This service is done freely at any police station.
He also implored parents and guardians not to entrust or leave their children under the custody of strangers.
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