Chamisa decries supporters' abductions, torture

Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has strongly condemned the abduction and torture of his party members by unknown assailants, categorizing these acts as terrorism. He made this statement after visiting James Chidhakwa, a former Mabvuku-Tafara legislator, who was allegedly abducted and brutally tortured before being left along Arcturus Road.

Chidhakwa is currently receiving medical treatment for multiple injuries, including a cracked pelvis bone, hand, and leg.

Chamisa expressed his concern over the abduction and violence, emphasizing the need for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions. He highlighted the alarming trend of vigilante groups abducting and terrorizing CCC supporters and called for an end to such impunity.

Chamisa described these actions as a reflection of the breakdown of the rule of law, the vulnerability of citizens, and the erosion of security. He also voiced his opposition to the funding of such terrorism.

Fortune Kuhudzehwe, the Co-ordinator for the National Transitional Justice Working Group, echoed the condemnation of abductions and called for the government to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture. He emphasized that abductions should never be used as a political tool to silence critics.

Amnesty International Zimbabwe also strongly condemned the attack on Chidhakwa and urged Zimbabwean authorities to treat cases of abductions and torture as extremely serious crimes, ensuring justice and accountability.

In August, civic groups urged the government to criminalize enforced disappearances and ratify the United Nations International Conventions to protect citizens from abductions. Despite signing the International Convention Against Enforced Disappearances in 2007, the government has not yet ratified or domesticated it to enable the prosecution of perpetrators.