ACTING President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said government was concerned with the alleged abduction and disappearance of journalist and pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara and assured that relevant offices were looking into the “barbaric act”.
by VENERANDA LANGA/MOSES MATENGA
This came after government was pressured by opposition MPs and the international community to disclose Dzamara’s whereabouts and expose his abductors.
Dzamara was allegedly abducted in Harare on Monday by five unidentified men believed to be State security agents, bundled into an unmarked pick-up truck and taken to an unknown destination. His brother, Patson, last night said the family was yet to confirm reports that he was being held at Harare Central Police Station. Patson said lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights had gone to the station to verify the reports.
The issue generated heated debate in Parliament yesterday before Mnangagwa said government was doing everything possible to probe the whereabouts of the activist.
“I am very grateful for that question as it is of national interest. We are a democratic society and we believe every citizen of this country has the right to do what they want to do peacefully. Anybody in this country who commits a crime must account for the crime that is committed,” Mnangagwa said.
“That is why we have institutions like the Zimbabwe Republic Police to deal with this. I can assure the House that it (the abduction) is a barbaric act and we want those responsible to come to book.” MDC-T activists briefly demonstrated over the issue at Parliament Building before they were dispersed by police.
Several international organisations and embassies, among them United States and European Union, joined in the campaign for Dzamara’s release.
