Kombi driver arrested after kidnap attempt on 25 school children

Samuel Honde arrested in Macheke after kombi ran out of fuel

By Staff Reporter

A 60-year-old man hired to transport primary school children from to and from Harare’s David Livingstone Primary School has been arrested in Macheke, over 100 kilometres from the capital in a suspected kidnap attempt.

Shocked parents were left searching for clues over the motive.

Police were tipped off by other motorists who reported hearing children crying in a stationary Nissan Caravan on the Harare-Mutare Road after the vehicle ran out of fuel.

Responding officers found 25 children, 14 girls and 11 boys, aged between 4 and 8 – all learners at David Livingstone Primary School in the kombi with 60-year-old driver Samuel Honde.

“Honde was contracted by parents to ferry learners to and from David Livingstone Primary School from their respective residencies around Harare since 2016,” a police report of the incident said.

“Police interrogated the driver on where he was heading and he stated that he was going to Kuwadzana Extension in Harare. He was arrested for kidnapping and escorted to Macheke Police Station.

“Next of kins of the children were advised and the pupils were ferried to Marondera Provincial Hospital for medical examination.”

Honde, who lives at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kuwadzana Extension, is expected to appear in court soon.