In a terrifying ordeal, a group of 22 students from David Livingstone Primary School were kidnapped on their way home from school by a pirate taxi driver.

According to Herald, the taxi driver usually picks them from school premises to their homes in Kuwadzana, making the abduction all the more alarming.

The incident occurred in broad daylight, in the middle of the afternoon.

ALSO READ; Sangoma Kidnaps, Rap£s Girl (14) After Promising Her Employment

What happened

Reports state that the driver of the taxi had been waiting outside the school gates, and when the unsuspecting children arrived, he quickly ushered them into the vehicle. The driver sped off with the helpless children, leaving parents and teachers in a state of panic and despair.

Despite frantic efforts to locate the missing students, the whereabouts of the children remained unknown for several hours. However, a breakthrough eventually came when the authorities received a tip-off that the children had been spotted in Macheke, a town located approximately 90km from Harare.

A search party was promptly dispatched to Macheke, and the children were located and rescued by law enforcement agents. Reports suggest that the children had been taken to a remote location, where they were held captive by the pirate taxi driver.

Although the children were fortunately rescued and deemed safe upon their return, the incident has left many local parents and residents worried about security and safety measures for schoolchildren. The authorities have vowed to investigate the matter and bring the pirate taxi driver to justice.

See Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) statement below:

What needs to be done

This unfortunate incident highlights the need for more stringent regulations and monitoring of pirate taxi services. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures for children commuting to and from school and traveling around communities. It is crucial that parents and guardians take measures to ensure the safety and security of their children, such as checking the registration of any vehicles hired for transportation and accompanying children on their travels whenever possible.

-Afrogazette-