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Itai Dzamara abduction wildly condemned

by Stephen Jakes
10 Mar 2015 at 15:15hrs | Views
The alleged abduction of a Harare based Journalists and Human and political Rights activist Itai Dzamara has been wildly condemned by mostly journalists and human rights activists in the country and indications where still that it was not yet known where he is.

Heal Zimbabwe Trust an organization which fight for the restoration of all human and political rights yesterday in a statement condemned in the strongest sense, the abduction of Dzamara which reportedly occurred yesterday (09 March 2014,) by suspected state agents.

"He was abducted while at a barbershop in his neighbourhood," reads the statement by Heal Zimbabwe. "Many prominent human rights activists have been abducted and tortured in the past and the Government has not been held accountable. The abduction of Dzamara is a direct violation of the Constitution which guarantees freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

The organization said while details of his whereabouts remain unknown, Heal Zimbabwe expresses dismay at the lack of swift response from the police and relevant authorities who should be there to protect citizens against abductions and human rights violations.

"Heal Zimbabwe calls for the immediate release of Dzamara unhurt and implores the Government to abide by the constitution which is explicit on the rights of citizens," reads Heal Zimbabwe Statement.

There were some social media reports that Dzamara's body was found near Goromonzi turn off but Many Zimbabwe journalists quashed social media rumours claiming that  Dzamara had been found dead.

Apparently the outspoken activist was abducted by suspected state agents while at a barbershop in his neighbourhood on Monday. Mixed reactions started swilling in on the social media twitter with some saying it might be a hoax while some feared that Dzamara might be dead.

A Zimbabwean journalist originally from Lupane, Njabulo Ncube said via the micro blogging website: "But journos at the scene say there is no Dzamara body, now suspect it could be a hoax."

Another journalist Kelvin Mupungu wrote that he just spoke to Pat Dzamara the brother, he said he still doesn't know. So let's pray.

There has been an outcry on the social media with people asking question like "Where is Dzamara ?"

ZimVoices on Twitter said: "Where is Itai Dzamara? We urge the government of Zimbabwe to provide us with answers and ensure his safety."

Dzamara has previously been arrested for demonstrating and calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down.

Nqaba Matshazi said "But authorities bring this on themselves, what harm would government have suffered if they "ignored" Dzamara, instead of primitive tactics."

Latest twittes states that Dzamara's family have since filed police report over his missing.

Martin Will Chinyanga twitted that he was receiving signals that Dzamara is dead.

Most of the twittes were directed at edia Infornmation and btroadcasting Minister Jonathan Moyo who has not responded to any one of them.

Source - Byo24News