Whistle-blowers should heed government's call in Dzamara search

It is now three years since Itai Dzamara was abducted at a barbershop in Glen View 7 by five unknown assailants in a partially identified vehicle.

The police continue to search for him as evidenced by their latest plea to members of the public to cooperate with them in the search for the Occupy Africa Unity Square movement (OAUS) leader, contrary to critics and government detractors who are using the case to gain sympathy and funding from some international Civic Society Groups.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) released a statement through their spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, appealing to anyone with information on the abduction of Dzamara to come forward and aid in the search.

"The registration numbers were only captured as ABB 2…, with the last three digits not visible as the registration plate was partly folded. In the vehicle, there were two other unknown male adults and they drove away with Dzamara. Anyone with information, please contact CID law and order Harare on (04) 251505 or 753411 or nearest police station," read part of the statement.

ZRP's call comes after the Dzamara family's plea to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, after his inauguration in November, to assist in the search for Dzamara. The coming in of President Mnangagwa gave the Dzamara family new and rejuvenated hope of finally getting answers on the disappearance of their sibling, father and son. As promised the President has not disappointed evidenced by the police's public appeal.      

Some unscrupulous individuals have refused to heed the call to assist ZRP, probably because some of them are benefiting from the negative publicity that Government was getting from the lack of progress in the Dzamara case. One such individual is Itai Dzamara's brother, Patson Dzamara.

"It's diabolic for this government to ask the citizens through ZRP to assist with information regarding the whereabouts of my brother Itai. Never have I minced my words that they are responsible for Itai's abduction and missing. They must just bring him back to us, dead or alive," wrote Patson Dzamara.

For someone who says his mission is to get answers on the disappearance of his brother and bring closure to his family Patson's reaction does not make sense if he is truly genuine. Patson should be on the forefront of those encouraging the police and pleading with people to come forward but it seems he has other motives for not wanting people to cooperate with the police.

On the other hand, Patson's reaction is not surprising as he has sensationalised the abduction of his elder brother and seems to be benefiting financially from it. In March 2016, which was the first anniversary of his brother's disappearance he claimed that he had evidence on who had abducted Itai. He even produced some poorly produced photographs he claimed were of his brother in an unknown location. He went on to insinuate that he had received the evidence from high ranking officials in the intelligence community and implicated military intelligence in the abduction of Itai.

After some thorough quizzing from members of the public, Patson reneged on his story as he failed to produce further evidence of his brother's whereabouts or on his phantom sources. Therefore, Patson cannot be trusted when it comes to sincere individuals seeking answers on the disappearance of Itai.

The ZRP statement does not mean that the police have been idle all along in the search for the activist but it just means that they have stepped up their efforts to find answers and closure for the Dzamara family. Therefore, people should heed the police's noble call to assist in bringing an end to the mystery of Dzamara's whereabouts and ignore those with ulterior motives like Patson.