THE opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alleged that its Matabeleland South provincial secretary for security, Elliot Shelton, was abducted by suspected State security agents in Gwanda on Wednesday and has not yet been accounted for.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
The Tendai Biti-led party claimed Shelton was abducted at Pakama business centre by six unidentified men, but strongly believed to be in State apparatus, who were driving two white double-cab vehicles without registration numbers.
“Efforts by the party to locate Shelton since yesterday (Wednesday) have been fruitless and we fear for his safety in light of how the State has in the past abducted political and human rights defenders. The PDP demands the urgent release of Shelton and we hold the State and Zanu PF responsible for the abduction,” PDP said in a statement.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba
“We underscore the need for total change in Zimbabwe where the rule of law is upheld and people are respected regardless of their political affiliations. It is also disheartening to note that the latest abduction comes a few weeks before missing human rights activist Itai Dzamara clocks a year without being heard of after he was abducted in similar circumstances on March 9, 2015.”
PDP secretary-general Gorden Moyo said they had reported the matter at Jahunda Police Station in Gwanda, but national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said they did not have the report.
“We have not received such a report and I have consulted our officers in Matabeleland South, there is nothing like that, but they will investigate anyway,” Charamba said.
