Opinion / Letters
Joseph Gumbo allegedly abducted, tortured and warned against mobilising against Amendment Bill No. 3
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Open Letter to the International Community
CCC candidate for Gokwe‑Cheriya, Joseph Gumbo, has alleged that he was abducted by three men — one of them reportedly armed with an AK‑47 rifle — as he left his mother’s home in Nembudziya, Gokwe, last week.
According to Gumbo, he was taken to the local Heroes Acre where he was assaulted before being moved to the Government Complex for interrogation. He claims he was accused of mobilising residents against the Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and was threatened with death during the ordeal.
Gumbo alleges that his abductors had been informed that he intended to distribute literature explaining the implications of the Bill and encouraging citizens to sign if they opposed it. He said he admitted that the documents were at his mother’s home, after which the men went to retrieve them.
He further claims that the abductors planted drugs in the envelope containing the documents before taking him to a police station, where he was accused of drug possession and holding illegal meetings to mobilise against the Bill. Gumbo denies organising any such meetings, saying he had only planned to visit his 2023 campaign manager to discuss the proposed amendment.
Gumbo says he managed to identify one of the alleged abductors, whom he named only as Ndebele. He can be contacted on +263 77 566 5668.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF officials and Ministry of Education staff in some rural areas have been accused of distributing forms to schoolchildren to sign in support of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Torerayi Moyo — who is also the MP for Gokwe‑Cheriya — has not commented on the allegations, and it remains unclear whether he is aware of or involved in the reported activities.
Concerns have also been raised about the broader pattern of intimidation targeting individuals opposed to the amendment, which critics argue seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure without a referendum.
The letter calls on responsible authorities to investigate the alleged human rights violations and ensure that those involved in abductions, torture or intimidation are held accountable.
Kennedy Kaitano
CCC candidate for Gokwe‑Cheriya, Joseph Gumbo, has alleged that he was abducted by three men — one of them reportedly armed with an AK‑47 rifle — as he left his mother’s home in Nembudziya, Gokwe, last week.
According to Gumbo, he was taken to the local Heroes Acre where he was assaulted before being moved to the Government Complex for interrogation. He claims he was accused of mobilising residents against the Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and was threatened with death during the ordeal.
Gumbo alleges that his abductors had been informed that he intended to distribute literature explaining the implications of the Bill and encouraging citizens to sign if they opposed it. He said he admitted that the documents were at his mother’s home, after which the men went to retrieve them.
He further claims that the abductors planted drugs in the envelope containing the documents before taking him to a police station, where he was accused of drug possession and holding illegal meetings to mobilise against the Bill. Gumbo denies organising any such meetings, saying he had only planned to visit his 2023 campaign manager to discuss the proposed amendment.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF officials and Ministry of Education staff in some rural areas have been accused of distributing forms to schoolchildren to sign in support of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Torerayi Moyo — who is also the MP for Gokwe‑Cheriya — has not commented on the allegations, and it remains unclear whether he is aware of or involved in the reported activities.
Concerns have also been raised about the broader pattern of intimidation targeting individuals opposed to the amendment, which critics argue seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure without a referendum.
The letter calls on responsible authorities to investigate the alleged human rights violations and ensure that those involved in abductions, torture or intimidation are held accountable.
Kennedy Kaitano
Source - Kennedy Kaitano
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