Abducted headmen tortured, left for dead

Two Mashonaland West traditional leaders who were allegedly abducted at a Zanu-PF rally in Hurungwe West on Sunday resurfaced in the constituency yesterday where they gave harrowing accounts of their ordeal at the hands of their abductors.

Headmen Kapambara and Alick Mangisi yesterday claimed they were tortured and left for dead by their abductors who accused them of misleading the electorate and campaigning for independent candidate Temba Mliswa.

This comes as civic society organisations condemned the tense political environment in Hurungwe West ahead of the June 10 by-election, saying such a situation would not guarantee free and fair elections.

Before their abduction the traditional leaders and four others from the constituency were publicly assaulted by party youths at the rally after being labelled "sell-outs".

The rally was attended by Ignatius Chombo and Phillip Chiyangwa.