More councillors, village heads and MDC youth abducted

By Tererai Karimakwenda
27 May 2008

The abductions of political and civil activists have intensified in the last week as ZANU-PF continues its campaign to destroy opposition structures ahead of the presidential runoff. We have received reports that nearly 20 people have been abducted since Friday.

The latest abduction was in Marondera, where it is reported that the wife of Ian Kay's campaign manager, Mable Penisara, was abducted on Monday night. Witnesses say she was taken away by armed thugs who had apparently come for her husband. But it is believed Tonderai Penisara managed to escape. The thugs were wielding what looked like AK-47 rifles and pistols. Mable’s whereabouts are still not known. MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa confirmed the abduction and said this is the latest strategy by ZANU-PF to dismantle their structures ahead of the presidential runoff.

Ian Kay is the newly elected MDC MP for Marondera in Mashonaland East. He was arrested last week Tuesday on trumped up charges and has not yet appeared in court. There are also reports that Kay’s Chairman, Mr Bakaaiman, has been missing since last week Monday. A CIO operative named Sydney Shumwayo was identified as one of those who abducted Bakaaiman.

We also received reports that Nehmiah Nhembera, the newly elected councillor for Musana village in Bindura South, plus 15 others, were abducted last Friday. The 15 included village heads Sabhuku Mabhena and Sabhuku Chibaya. The rest were youth members from the area.

We got the report from another Sabhuku from Bindura South who managed to escape, and he implicated Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri in the abductions. He said Chihuri was at Musiwa Business Centre on Thursday asking a lot questions about specific people. The abductions were then carried out early Friday morning.

The Sabhuku, who chose not to be identified, said the assailants went door to door late night around 1:00 AM forcing people out at gunpoint. He believes it was done quietly because the youth members in Bindura have been very successful in organising and defending themselves against abductions.

Our contact said the abductions were reported to the police at Bindura Headquarters and they said they would investigate. So far nothing has happened. He added that the abductions will not weaken the resolve of the youth in Bindura.