Dzamara’s whereabouts still unknown

By Mugove Tafirenyika

HARARE – Confusion and mystery continues to surround the whereabouts of political activist Itai Dzamara, four days after he was abducted from a hair salon in Harare.

“The last time I checked with Harare province, they had not found him but investigations are continuing. We will see what comes out tommorrow,” police spokesperson Charity Charamba told the Daily News on Wednesday.

The activist’s lawyer Charles Kwaramba also confirmed that Dzamara had not been located yet.

“We have not heard anything so far as even the police have been telling us all day that they are searching for him too,” Kwaramba said.

The 36-year-old journalist, best known for bravely leading the Occupy Africa Unity Square initiative from  the front,  was abducted from a hair salon in Harare’s high density suburb of Glen View on Monday morning by some unidentified men, suspected to be State security agents, who were travelling in a white twin cab vehicle with a blurred registration number plate.

Upon abducting Dzamara, the captors reportedly and bizarrely accused him of having stolen a beast before bundling him into their vehicle.

Since his disappearance four days ago, his mobile phone has been switched off and he has not been in contact with his wife, family members and friends, and is being held incommunicado even from his lawyers — which is against the tenets of the law.

There was chaos in Parliament yesterday resulting in MDC MPs walking out in protest after National Assembly acting Speaker Reuben Marumahoko blocked debate on the abduction of Itai Dzamara.

Opposition MPs led by Kuwadzana legislator Nelson Chamisa had sought to have Dzamara’s case treated by the august House as an urgent motion.

Chamisa argued that the motion was of national interest and affected the political and civil liberties of individuals hence it should be debated without notice as contemplated by parliamentary standing orders.

But things came to a head when Marumahoko ruled that the matter be debated on Tuesday next week so as not to disrupt the business of the day.

“In terms of standing orders, this matter came before me late and I propose that it be debated on Tuesday so that today’s business can go ahead,” said Marumahoko, as Zanu PF legislators broke into song.

“Machinja sorry, yayaya, sorry maruza…. (MDC you have lost this one),” the Zanu PF caucus mockingly sang.

Opposition lawmakers led by Mkoba MP Amos Chibaya responded by pounding their tables, singing songs accusing the ruling party of being responsible for Dzamara’s abduction.

“Ndimi makamutora, ndimi makamutora hazvina mhosva baba tozviziva (We know you are the ones who abducted him),” they countered.

This prompted Marumahoko to order the ejection of Chibaya from the chamber. All the opposition MPs immediately walked out in solidarity. They were later addressed by their chief whip Innocent Gonese, urging them to remain defiant.

“I indicated to the speaker yesterday (Wednesday) of my intention to move the motion and like we indicated to him in the house, this matter falls within the contemplation of the standing rules and orders so we are not supposed to give notice according to section 38 (1) and 31 of the constitution,” Chamisa said.

The business of the day continued with only Zanu PF MPs in the House. Daily News