Zim asylum seeker denies kidnap charge

Zim asylum seeker denies kidnap charge

CARDIFF Crown Court

• Zim man held in UK over kidnap bid

• Zim man charged with HIV crimes in NZ

• Zim doctor accused of sexual assault

By Duncan Higgitt

A ZIMBABWEAN asylum seeker arrested in Wales, UK on charges of trying to snatch a toddler from a busy shopping centre has pleaded not guilty before a Cardiff magistrate.

Mthokozisi Zondo, 28, pleaded not guilty to attempted abduction of the two-year-old girl from an Argos store in Cardiff.

The girl - who cannot be named because of her age - had become separated from her mother in a city centre when she was allegedly approached by Zondo.

The incident was captured on CCTV film in the city's Queen's Arcade shopping centre.

Prosecutor Sue Ferrier said: "The incident itself was captured on CCTV recording in the shop. That will be played at the trial."

Zondo, of Canton, Cardiff, spoke only to confirm his name and enter a not guilty plea during the five- minute hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.

Judge John Griffith Williams QC remanded Zondo in custody for a trial next month.

Zondo's friends have described the charges as "ridiculous" and are hopeful he will be cleared. Zondo who lives with his girlfriend and has two kids has told friends that the toddler approached him and he was just trying to be friendly, which the toddler's mother misconstrued for a kidnap attempt.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com