Suspect posing as prophetess disappears with infant in Lusaka

The Zambia Police Service has launched a manhunt for a woman who allegedly stole a two-month-old baby in Lusaka’s Chazanga Compound.

Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga said the incident occurred yesterday around 12:30 hours and was reported at Emmasdale Police Station through Chazanga Police Post.

The victim’s mother, 39-year-old Alibeth Banda, told police that she was outside her house cooking when she was approached by a woman who introduced herself as a prophetess.

The woman claimed she had been sent by God to pray for the baby, who she alleged was under spiritual attack.

Mr. Hamoonga said the mother invited the woman inside to pray, but while she briefly went to fetch salt as requested by the so-called prophetess, the suspect took advantage and disappeared with the baby.

When the mother returned, both the woman and the infant were missing. Witnesses later reported seeing a woman carrying a baby boarding a bus heading toward town.

Police have since opened a docket and intensified investigations to trace the suspect and recover the baby.