Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting investigations on the alleged abduction of 3 MDC legislators who went missing after leading a protest on 13 May in Harare, ZRP Spokesperson Paul Nyathi has revealed.

In a statement, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi revealed that the police are looking to establish details of events that transpired on 13 May after a flash demonstration that was led by Harare West Legislator Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiru in Warren Park 1 was dispersed.

“Police are conducting investigations to establish what transpired on 13th May 2020 after the flash demonstration in Warren Park 1, Harare had been dispersed. It is only after full scale investigations that the Police will be in a position to pin point what actually happened between 13th and 15th of May 2020. This includes the movement of demonstrators, their associates and subsequent location of the trio at Muchapondwa Business Centre”

“We appeal to members of the public with information surrounding the matter to come forward and contact any nearest police station to assist the police with investigations,” reads the statement.

The three activists were found yesterday evening at Muchapondwa Business Centre in Bindura after they went missing for almost two days.
MDC Leader Nelson Chamisa said the three activists were badly tortured and suffered sexual abuse at the hands of suspected state security agents.

“This is inhuman and degrading treatment. This is torture against girl child, torture against the country. Assuming that they had committed a crime, they were supposed to be taken to a police station, tried and sentenced, but this is a continuation of an ugly past,” Chamisa said.

The opposition leader said the silence of President Emmerson Mnangagwa was an indication that he was behind the abductions.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services revealed that the government was concerned with the abduction of the three citizens and encouraged them to corporate with law enforcement agents to bring the truth to life.

“Government has noted with concern the reports of the alleged abductions of three citizens namely, the legislator for Harare West (MDCT) Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova on 13 May 2020,”

“We are calling on the three citizens to work with the law enforcement agents in order to bring the truth to light and we are appealing to anyone with information concerning this case to make a report with the police” he said.

State of the Nation contacted the MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende to get details of the medical condition of the 3 activists and he had this to say:

“Medical reports can not be released to the Party I am sure you know that such information will only be relayed to the family and the patient” Hwende said.