In a shocking incident, 25 school children who were reported missing from Harare have been found and rescued in Macheke, 103km away. The incident unfolded when a 60-year-old driver, Samuel Honde, was arrested after the vehicle he was driving, a Nissan Caravan, ran out of fuel on the Harare-Mutare Road. The cries of the children alerted other motorists, who promptly informed the police.

All 25 children, 14 girls and 11 boys aged between 4 and 8, were students at David Livingstone Primary School and had been picked up by Honde at 1PM as part of his contractual agreement with their parents. Honde had been responsible for transporting the children to and from school since 2016.

Upon questioning, Honde claimed that he was heading to Kuwadzana Extension in Harare. However, law enforcement officials arrested him on kidnapping charges and took him to Macheke Police Station for further investigation.

Following the incident, the children’s families were notified, and the pupils were taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital for thorough medical examinations.

Honde, who is a resident of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kuwadzana Extension, will soon appear in court to face charges related to the alleged kidnapping. The school and community were relieved that the 25 kidnapped children have been found and rescued.