HARARE – A Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker, Takudzwa Ngadziore, was abducted by unknown armed men on Wednesday, subjected to assault, and later found dumped approximately 50 kilometres north of Harare, according to statements from his party.
Ngadziore, aged 25, is one of the youngest legislators representing the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Zimbabwe.
The abduction and assault came to light when Ngadziore posted a live video on Facebook showing a man with a rifle running towards him, after which the video abruptly ended, lasting just seven seconds.
Amos Chibaya, the CCC’s chief whip in parliament, reported that Ngadziore was subsequently discovered near mine shafts in the village of Mazowe.
He was found naked, severely beaten, and had been injected with an unknown substance.
Chibaya characterized this incident as “surging politically motivated violence” in Zimbabwe.
Promise Mkwananzi, the CCC spokesperson, confirmed the abduction and announced that a police report would be filed regarding the incident.
When asked for a statement on the matter, police spokesperson Paul Nyathi responded, “I am yet to get that report.”
As of the time of this report, Zimbabwe’s government spokesman had not provided a comment on the incident.
This incident occurred just two months after the abduction of another CCC councillor, Womberaishe Nhende, who subsequently fled the country.
Opposition parties in Zimbabwe have been advocating for a fresh election following President Emmerson Mnangagwa‘s securing of a second term in office.
Despite concerns of irregularities in the electoral process, a Southern African Development Community (SADC) extraordinary summit on Tuesday formally endorsed the election results.
The recent abduction highlights growing concerns about political violence and human rights issues in Zimbabwe.
