List Of Alleged Abductions In Zimbabwe In 2020

The year 2020 saw Zimbabwe recording a number of alleged kidnappings by suspected state security agents. These reports, for many, signified a shrinking democratic space. Government authorities, however, deny the allegations. As the year is coming to an end, we have compiled a list of the alleged abduction cases some of which are still pending at the courts of law.

• MDC Alliance Tio – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova

The trio claims that after being arrested at a flash food protest in Warren Park in May, they were locked in police cells where suspected security agents kidnapped them. They were later found dumped in Bindura and they claimed their alleged abductors tortured them and also sexually assaulted them. The three were arrested for staging their abduction with authorities claiming the activists’ alleged abduction was premised at putting the government’ name into disrepute.

• Tawanda Muchehiwa (Journalism student)

He is the nephew of ZimLive editor, Mduduzi Mathuthu. Muchehiwa was allegedly abducted from home by suspected state security agents, tortured and dumped three days later. He was immediately arrested for obstruction of justice with the state saying he was not forthcoming as far as revealing the whereabouts of Mduduzi Mthuthu is concerned. Mathuthu allegedly incited the public to participate in the foiled 31 July anti-corruption protests jeopardising the “prevailing peace and security.” Speaking to SkyNews after the abduction, Muchehiwa said he was still yet to get past the abduction incident.

• Lavender Chiwaya (MDC Alliance Hurungwe Ward 4 Councillor )

Chiwaya was found near his home in Hurungwe following reports that he had been abducted by suspected state security agents. Chiwaya’s party said Chiwaya, whose body was found naked 4 houses away from his home was being hunted by state agents and they have accused state agents of killing him. Police said Chiwaya could have died from alcohol (bronco) abuse.

• MDC Alliance Bulawayo activists

The activists said they were exposed to horrendous torture, which among other diabolic acts included being immersed in a pool of water and being electrocuted by suspected State agents allegedly for planning the foiled 31 July protests. The alleged abductors also took US$50 from the house of Takunda Madzana (MDC Alliance youth secretary for cadre-ship development). MDC Alliance spokesperson in Bulawayo, Swithren Chirowodza named Madzana, Otillia Sibanda (a former party official), Nyasha Masundire (a youth chairman) and Michael Mubasa (a senior MDC Alliance official) as the victims of the alleged victim. They were later dumped.

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• Tamuka Dendere

MDC Alliance initially reported about his disappearance saying he had been abducted by state security agents. He was dumped by alleged abductors at Harare Central Police Station. His wife was arrested upon arriving at Gweru police station to report that her husband was missing.

• Noxolo Maphosa

Noxolo Maphosa is a niece to Josphat Mzaca Ngulube, a former director in the ministry of sports and recreation for Bulawayo province and Political activist. Reports suggest that she had been abducted by suspected state security agents only to be dumped later in the day outside her home after she was tortured and sexually assaulted in Bulawayo.

• 3 MDC Alliance Youths

Three members of its youth league assembly were allegedly kidnapped from their homes by suspected state agents. The trio, Emmanuel Mukwemu, Petronella Mapaire & Trynos Hove was dumped at Harare Central Police Station in the morning after spending the night in the hands of alleged abductors.

• Denford Ngadziore (MDC Alliance Councillor’s wife and child)

His wife and his six-month-old baby were reportedly abducted by suspected state agents who were driving a car without number plates. MDCA said Ngadziore’ wife and baby, as well as Allan Moyo and Snaga Lameck, were kidnapped from Ngadziore’s home in Mabelreign. They were allegedly beaten and then dumped in Dzivarasekwa.

• Nickson Mpofu

He was allegedly abducted by suspected State security agents after he had posted on social media exposing corruption by some government officials in choots with Impala Car Rentals. He had said some ministers rented their vehicles to the company and wouldinfluence the minitries they lead to hire those cars instead of cars from CMED a government department. He was abducted and tortured and dumped around 3 am.