THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has come under fire for failing to make any arrests in the many cases of missing children reported around the country, amid fears most were abducted for ritual purposes.

Cases of missing kids, most of them in the 3-14-years range, have been on the increase over the last few months prompting speculation that unscrupulous business people may be abducting innocent children for sacrificial purposes.

With some of the children turning up dead, most people now fear that vile business people may be resorting to ritual killings in a bid to increase their wealth, shrug-off competition or safe-guard their riches.

The practice is common in many African countries, but Zimbabwe had not recorded any such cases in recent years until late 2011 when children started disappearing from their homes and even from school.

Parents are particularly angry that the ZRP -- dismissed by most as incompetent and corrupt -- has failed to apprehend any suspects or explain why it is taking long to bring the heartless criminals to book.

In one of the recent cases, a toddler went missing in Masvingo on Christmas Day only to turn up dead four days later with unspeakable signs of torture. Most of her skin had peeled off suggesting her murderers may have poured boiling water over her.

The child, aged 19 months, was playing outside her house in Masvingo while her mom took a nap, when she was snatched.

Upon waking up the mother discovered that her baby was missing and raised the alert but it was too late. Some witnesses are said to have seen a man carrying the child fitting the description given by the mother.

Although the report was made the same day, police only pitched up the next day in the evening by which time the kidnapper had made good their escape and covered their tracks.

Four days later the little child’s body was dumped close to were she was taken and no progress has been made in police investigations.

His clothes were found next to some human remains which were discovered within the grounds of the Exhibition Park but the identity of the bones is still to be verified.

Two more cases which drew public attention were those of Samuel Madzima from Epworth and Blessing Kanojerera of Kuwadzana.

Again, no suspects have been picked for questioning.

With police investigations apparently going nowhere, frightened parents are now taking more stringent measures to ensure the safety of their children.

A walk in Harare’s city centre shows just how frightened and restive parents and guardians have become. Most no longer entertain having strangers chat up their children while others now accompany them to and from school to ensure their safety.

“It beggars belief that no arrests have been made in the many cases reported across the country over the last few months,” one irate parent said.

“Parents have enough problems struggling to put food on the table in a difficult economy. Now they have to accompany children to and from school and worry when they go out to play because the streets are clearly no longer safe.

“Surely the police should be able to deal with these cases with the same efficiency they demonstrate in cases of politically related violence where arrests are swift and sweeping.