Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
BULAWAYO – Police in Bulawayo have launched a desperate manhunt for an unknown male suspect following the kidnapping of a two-year-old toddler from a busy city centre mall.
The child was taken from her mother’s side in a brazen abduction captured on CCTV.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at approximately 10:30 AM at a mall located on the corner of L. Takawira Avenue and J. Moyo Street.
According to a statement released by the police, the victim, Asandra Ndhlovu, was with her 25-year-old mother, a resident of New Lobengula, at the mother’s workplace inside the mall. The mother was serving customers while her daughter played nearby. When she checked on the child about 20 minutes later, the toddler was nowhere to be found.
A review of the mall’s security footage revealed the horrifying moment of the abduction.
“The victim’s mother checked at the mall CCTV office which showed an unknown male accused person who was wearing a brown hood jacket and blue work suit trousers lifting the child and going out of the Mall,” said Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the Police Press and Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo Province.
“The man’s face was not visible.”
The police have described the missing child as wearing a pink jersey and blue jean trousers. She was not wearing shoes at the time of the abduction. The suspect’s face was obscured in the footage, making the public’s help crucial in identifying him.
“We appeal to members of the public with information that may assist in the location of this juvenile to contact her mother on 0718333182/ 0777949816, ZRP Bulawayo Central on (02922) 71515 or contact any nearest police station,” Inspector Msebele added.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen the suspect or the child in the vicinity of the mall on Tuesday morning to come forward immediately.
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