Tense atmosphere grips David Livingstone School

Oscar J Jeke

As light drizzle showered central Harare around mid-morning, a sombre and tense atmosphere engulfed David Livingstone Primary School as people tried to come to terms with yesterday’s kidnapping incident involving 22 ECD learners at the school.

The usual noise and chatter of learners associated with learning institutions as you approach their environs was absent. The area around the gate was devoid of movement.

Security was tight as three guards manned the main entrance and would not let anyone they did not know into the premises. Not even those who were looking for places or had other general enquiries could get in. They were not negotiating.

The suspicion held by the guards, which they placed on anyone passing by, was discernible from their looks and stance.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/7878/22-kuwadzana-bound-david-livingston-ecd-pupils-kidnapped-by-school-run-driver-rescued-almost-100km-away

Of course, other schools in Harare and beyond, where learners have to be taken by contracted buses and kombis could be in total confusion as to how the security of learners can be guaranteed.

This follows an incident yesterday when 22 Kuwadzana-bound ECD learners from David Livingstone Primary School were rescued by a well-wisher in Macheke, about 90km from Harare, after the kombi they were in ran out of fuel.

When the motorist stopped to assist after seeing the stranded vehicle, he realised that the kids were in distress.

The motorist reported the incident to the police, who swiftly arrived at the scene.

The children were taken to Marondera Hospital for medical examination while the driver was reportedly arrested.

The driver had reportedly been contracted for the school run for a while by parents with children in second year of school.

Police have not yet given details on the incident but it is believed that the driver is in custody.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, referred this publication to the police, who are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Police were still to issue an official statement on the matter.