BULAWAYO — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Bulawayo have issued a fresh and urgent public appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of Nicole Paidamoyo Mutasa, a 25-year-old student at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), exactly 74 days after she vanished without a trace from the university campus.
The renewed call for assistance, published by Bulawayo24 News on 6 December 2025, comes amid growing anxiety among the student body and family members as the trail appears to have gone cold. Despite extensive campus-wide searches and initial investigations launched in late September, authorities have yet to uncover a concrete lead.
The Hard Facts
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Name: Nicole Paidamoyo Mutasa (25)
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Last Seen: 23 September 2025, NUST Campus, Bulawayo.
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Last Known Location: Walking toward the main gate area (approx. 18:00 hrs).
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Description: Heavy build, approx. 1.72m tall, dark complexion, brown eyes, box braids.
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Clothing: Blue skinny jeans, brown crop top, pink-and-brown sneakers, black headband.
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Investigating Unit: ZRP Khumalo.
A “Highly Unusual” Silence
Sources close to the investigation have confirmed a disturbing lack of digital or financial activity since the day of her disappearance. Investigators report no bank transactions, mobile network activity, or social media logins associated with Nicole since 23 September.
“This silence is highly unusual for a student of her age,” a source within the investigation noted, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Usually, we see some digital footprint—a ping on a tower, a card swipe—but in this case, everything simply stopped at 18:00 on the 23rd.”
Friends and fellow students describe Nicole as a “reserved but diligent” individual with no known history of mental health struggles or family conflicts that would suggest a voluntary disappearance. The delay in circulating a clear photograph publicly—spanning over two months—has reportedly hampered earlier efforts to crowdsource information from the public.
CCTV and The Timeline
Detectives are focusing their timeline on the early evening of 23 September 2025. Security footage retrieved from the NUST campus reportedly captures Nicole walking alone toward the main gate area shortly after 18:00.
After this sighting, she moves out of the camera’s view and has not been seen since.
Case Timeline:
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23 Sep 2025 (18:00): Last confirmed sighting on CCTV at NUST Main Gate.
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25 Sep 2025: Family formally reports her missing to ZRP Khumalo.
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Oct–Nov 2025: Intense campus searches (hostels, bushy areas) and initial inquiries yield no physical evidence.
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06 Dec 2025: Police issue fresh public appeal via Bulawayo24 News, acknowledging the “deepening mystery.”
Police & Family Appeal
While police have not officially classified the case as suspected foul play, the prolonged absence has shifted the tone of the investigation. ZRP Khumalo is urging anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the NUST Main Gate or the Gwanda Road transport pick-up points on the evening of 23 September to come forward.
How You Can Help: Members of the public with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, are urged to contact the investigating officers immediately.
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ZRP Khumalo (Charge Office): +263 (29) 227 444 (General Line) [Verify local listing]
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ZRP Bulawayo Operations: +263 (29) 271 515
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National Missing Persons Hotline: 110 or 999 (Toll-Free)
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Confidential Tips: Information can be dropped anonymously at any nearest police station or NUST Security Post.
