A victim of political violence in Zimbabwe says the alleged abduction of Occupy Africa Unity Square leader Itai Dzamara reminds them of a series of abductions since independence.
Grace Kwinjeh, a founder member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who was attacked by state security agents in the 2008, told VOA Studio 7 Dzamara’s alleged abduction on Monday by unknown assailants, is very worrying.
She was seized, tortured and dumped at various police stations before she was allowed to seek medical treatment locally and outside the country.
“I thought that was it but I came out and I believe that Itai is going to come out and is going to tell his story. So, it’s scary when you are there and you don’t know where you are and you don’t know what is happening,” said Kwinjeh.
Some MDC activists were later found dead and their assailants have not yet been identified. Others like Patrick Nabanyana, who was an election agent of former Education and Sports Minister David Coltart, have not yet been found.
Political analyst Professor Shadreck Guto of the University of South Africa argues that what is happening in Zimbabwe is not surprising.
“This is a tragedy of course but one has to stress that this is not the first time this is happening in Zimbabwe. We have had disappearances in the past, we have people sometimes involved in accidents which are questionable,” said Professor Guto.