The Zimbabwe National Army has denied any involvement in the disappearance of journalist-cum-human-rights-activist Itai Dzamara.
This follows allegations made by Itai’s brother, Dr. Patson Dzamara, who claimed yesterday that he believed that the military intelligence was responsible for the missing activist.
He told journalists that “incontestable evidence was availed to us and I dare Mr. Mugabe (President Robert Mugabe) and his surrogates to prove me wrong. They can’t, because this is the truth. They thought they would get away with this evil deed as usual, but not this time around.
"They passed the wrong button. I cannot at this juncture state my brother’s fate in the hands of these gangsters but I can categorically inform you that Itai Dzamara was abducted by the military intelligence under the direct instruction and supervision of Zanu-PF.”
But in response to these allegations, Zimbabwe National Army director of Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore denied the allegation.
In a statement Makotore said: “The Zimbabwe National Army totally denies any involvement in the disappearance of Itai Dzamara. The claims by Itai Dzamara’s brother Patson are totally false and a figment of his own imaginations.”
He added, “The Army Intelligence does not take orders from any political party. Patson’s claims are just meant to seek media attention and mislead members of the public.”
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba told VOA Studio 7 yesterday that the police had no comment since Dzamara did not mention that they were involved or invite them to his press conference.
Meanwhile, detectives from the Law and Order section have asked Dr. Dzamara to visit their offices in connection with claims that the family has information about Itai’s abductors.
Dr. Dzamara’s lawyer, Charles kwaramba, said he would only be able to take him to the police Wednesday morning since he was too busy Tuesday.
“Mr. Dzamara called me and informed that the police wanted to interview him. I wasn’t available because I spent the whole day in court with other cases, but in the afternoon I also communicated with the police. They called me and said Mr. Dzamara also wanted me to be there,” Kwaramba said.
Kwaramba said his client is willing to cooperate with the police, adding that he has no reason whatsoever to withhold any information or to avoid interacting with them.
