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Political analyst, concerned citizen petitions international community over abduction of CCC candidate
2 hrs ago |
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Political analyst and concerned citizen Kennedy Kaitano has written an open letter to the international community raising alarm over the alleged abduction and torture of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate for Gokwe‑Cheriya, Joseph Gumbo.
Gumbo was reportedly abducted last week by three men, one of whom was allegedly armed with an AK‑47 rifle, as he left his mother’s home in Nembudziya.
Kaitano said Gumbo was taken to the local Heroes Acre where he was severely assaulted before being moved to the Government Complex for interrogation.
“He was accused of mobilising people against the Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill Number Three. He was threatened with death during the torture and interrogation process,” Kaitano said.
He added that the abductors appeared to have been informed that Gumbo intended to educate the community on the implications of the Bill and distribute literature for those opposed to it.
According to Kaitano, the abductors went to Gumbo’s mother’s home to retrieve the documents and allegedly planted drugs in the envelope containing them.
“He was then taken to a police station where they accused him of possessing drugs and holding illegal meetings to mobilise people against Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3. Gumbo denies ever planning such meetings and says he was only going to visit his 2023 campaign manager to share his views on the Bill,” he said.
Kaitano said Gumbo managed to identify one of the alleged abductors, whose surname is Ndebele. He appealed to the international community to intervene in what he described as escalating democratic and human‑rights violations in Zimbabwe.
He also accused Zanu PF and Ministry of Education officials of coercing schoolchildren in rural areas to sign forms supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3.
Kaitano noted that the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo — who is also the MP for Gokwe‑Cheriya and defeated Gumbo in the 2023 elections — has been linked to the matter, although the extent of his involvement is unclear.
“It is not known how involved Minister Moyo is in the abuse of children in this way. It is also not known at what level atrocities against people opposed to the unconstitutional manner in which Zanu PF is pushing for the extension of President Mnangagwa’s tenure are being planned,” he said.
Kaitano urged authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and ensure that those responsible for abductions and torture are brought to justice.
Gumbo was reportedly abducted last week by three men, one of whom was allegedly armed with an AK‑47 rifle, as he left his mother’s home in Nembudziya.
Kaitano said Gumbo was taken to the local Heroes Acre where he was severely assaulted before being moved to the Government Complex for interrogation.
“He was accused of mobilising people against the Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill Number Three. He was threatened with death during the torture and interrogation process,” Kaitano said.
He added that the abductors appeared to have been informed that Gumbo intended to educate the community on the implications of the Bill and distribute literature for those opposed to it.
According to Kaitano, the abductors went to Gumbo’s mother’s home to retrieve the documents and allegedly planted drugs in the envelope containing them.
Kaitano said Gumbo managed to identify one of the alleged abductors, whose surname is Ndebele. He appealed to the international community to intervene in what he described as escalating democratic and human‑rights violations in Zimbabwe.
He also accused Zanu PF and Ministry of Education officials of coercing schoolchildren in rural areas to sign forms supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3.
Kaitano noted that the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo — who is also the MP for Gokwe‑Cheriya and defeated Gumbo in the 2023 elections — has been linked to the matter, although the extent of his involvement is unclear.
“It is not known how involved Minister Moyo is in the abuse of children in this way. It is also not known at what level atrocities against people opposed to the unconstitutional manner in which Zanu PF is pushing for the extension of President Mnangagwa’s tenure are being planned,” he said.
Kaitano urged authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and ensure that those responsible for abductions and torture are brought to justice.
Source - Byo24news
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