Two MDC officials released from military custody after heavy torture

MDC has announced that its two officials Robert and Danmore Saunyama who were abducted by armed military personnel on Tuesday  have been released  from military custody after being heavily tortured.

"Robert and Danmore Saunyama released from military custody after being brutally attacked. They have been taken for medical attention. Their condition is said to be serious." MDC said in a statement.

Robert Saunyama, popularly known as Jack Roberts, of Zimunya Township in Mutare South and his younger brother and Chikanga-Dangamvura's Ward 6 Councilor, Danmore Saunyama, were reportedly bducted by soldiers suspected to be from 3/1 infantry battalion.

Jack Roberts is the MDC District Chairman for Mutare South, a constituency he contested for representing the MDC Alliance as a parliamentary candidate in the 30 July harmonised elections.

MDC said the soldiers are reported to have arrived in an unmarked Toyota double cab truck. They numbered around 8 and were heavily armed. They forced their entry into Jack's house where he was hosting his brother who had visited him with his wife and that of his other brother Jericho. The soldiers started assaulting the wives of the three brothers and their children, together with Clr Danmore.

All this while four soldiers were aiming their guns on Jack Roberts threatening to shoot him should incase he attempted to fight them back.

The victims of this barbaric military brutality bled profusely and suffered various degrees of injuries. The soldiers then bundled the two brothers and took them to an unknown destination.

This brutality is coming only there weeks after we buried Noah Sahumbe of Zimunya Township who succumbed to injuries he sustained after beatings by soldiers from 3 Brigade.

"Zimunya Township has been a little hell since the stayaway disturbances. The residents of this sleepy township have not known peace ever since. What is clear from this incident is that Zimbabwe is descending into a dark period of kidnappings, abductions, beatings, murders and extrajudicial killings.

"The dark days of gukurahundi and 2008 run-off killings are upon us once again. One cannot fail to link the veiled threats by Mr Mnangagwa over the weekend in Masvingo province with this heinous operation.

"It's clear the junta has stepped up the terror campaign against ordinary, peace loving citizens. Is this the new dispensation? Clearly there is nothing new but a continuation of Mugabe's legacy of brutality." The Party said.