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EU, US condemn Ngadziore abduction, call for swift investigation
03 Nov 2023 at 03:25hrs | Views
Both the European Union and United States embassies in Zimbabwe have strongly condemned the shocking abduction and torture of Tafadzwa Ngadziore, a CCC MP. They have also called for a thorough investigation into the incident, which was captured in phone footage showing armed men charging at the young lawmaker.
Ngadziore was forcibly taken from his Harare residence just moments before he was due to leave for parliament on Tuesday. Colleagues later rushed him to the hospital to receive treatment for the injuries he sustained during the assault and torture.
The incident, which was courageously documented by the first-time legislator in a 7-second video of his own attack, has elicited widespread public outrage and refocused attention on the tarnished human rights record of Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF-led government.
Among the prominent voices condemning the act was the European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, who called for an immediate investigation into the matter. He expressed his deep concern, stating, "I am deeply disturbed by the abduction and torture of MP Takudzwa Ngadziore. Such acts are in stark contradiction to the principles of freedom, security, and dignity that every individual rightfully deserves. I hope that the authorities will immediately investigate and ensure that justice prevails."
The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe also called for the government to respect the constitutional rights of its citizens. Their statement read, "The United States is deeply disturbed by continued reports of violence, assault, and abductions of opposition members in #Zimbabwe. We urge respect for constitutional rights and the fundamental freedoms that underpin them."
It's worth noting that both the European Union and the United States had previously imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, citing alleged human rights violations among other reasons, although the Harare government has dismissed these allegations as false.
On Thursday, the police responded, stating that they had not taken action on the matter as "no such case has been reported."
They added, "The ZRP has been keenly following an allegation of abduction and torture on social media. The police informs the public that no such case has been reported. We are trying to make contact with the alleged victim so as to elicit the facts beyond what is on social media."
Ngadziore was forcibly taken from his Harare residence just moments before he was due to leave for parliament on Tuesday. Colleagues later rushed him to the hospital to receive treatment for the injuries he sustained during the assault and torture.
The incident, which was courageously documented by the first-time legislator in a 7-second video of his own attack, has elicited widespread public outrage and refocused attention on the tarnished human rights record of Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF-led government.
Among the prominent voices condemning the act was the European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, who called for an immediate investigation into the matter. He expressed his deep concern, stating, "I am deeply disturbed by the abduction and torture of MP Takudzwa Ngadziore. Such acts are in stark contradiction to the principles of freedom, security, and dignity that every individual rightfully deserves. I hope that the authorities will immediately investigate and ensure that justice prevails."
The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe also called for the government to respect the constitutional rights of its citizens. Their statement read, "The United States is deeply disturbed by continued reports of violence, assault, and abductions of opposition members in #Zimbabwe. We urge respect for constitutional rights and the fundamental freedoms that underpin them."
It's worth noting that both the European Union and the United States had previously imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, citing alleged human rights violations among other reasons, although the Harare government has dismissed these allegations as false.
On Thursday, the police responded, stating that they had not taken action on the matter as "no such case has been reported."
They added, "The ZRP has been keenly following an allegation of abduction and torture on social media. The police informs the public that no such case has been reported. We are trying to make contact with the alleged victim so as to elicit the facts beyond what is on social media."
Source - zimlive
