HARARE, Apr. 23 (NewsDay Live) – The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) on Thursday said seven of its members were abducted in Chitungwiza in the early hours of Thursday, hours after police formally prohibited a planned demonstration set for Friday.
In a statement, the party said the group was seized at around 3am by armed men travelling in Mahindra vehicles.“The men who took them were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols,” the MDC said.Those reported missing include National Standing Committee member and Youth Assembly national chairperson Decent Dzaida; deputy national youth organising secretary Tonderai Cephas Makuyana; Chitungwiza provincial treasurer Austin Name; and St Mary’s district youth chairperson Shingirai Chitauro. Four other provincial executive members were also reportedly taken.
The party said efforts by relatives and colleagues to locate the seven have so far been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, police on Thursday issued a prohibition notice barring the planned protest in central Harare, citing security concerns.
In a notice issued under Section 8(9) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Superintendent Collence Nyamukuta, the acting officer commanding Harare Central Police District, said authorities had received “credible information on oath” indicating that the demonstration could lead to serious public disorder.
Police said the planned procession, which was scheduled to run from Robert Mugabe Square to Africa Unity Square between 10am and 1:30pm, posed risks including “serious disruption of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, injury to participants … or other persons, extensive damage to property or other public disorder”.
The prohibition followed a consultative meeting held on April 21, 2026, at Harare Central Police District headquarters, where police said they determined that no conditions or amendments could sufficiently mitigate the anticipated risks.
The MDC has not yet publicly responded to the prohibition notice.
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