Former MP James Chidhakwa abducted, tortured and injected with ‘substance’

Former opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Mabvuku-Tafara, James Chidhakwa was reportedly abducted and tortured by unknown assailants last night amid a rise in post election violence.

He was found dumped in Arcturus, severely injured. He told his colleagues that he was injected with an unknown substance.

Kidnappers allegedly shaved off the victim’s dreadlocks using a sharp object.

“The regime in Harare is aware that it did not win the recently concluded flawed, sham, disorganized, and shambolic elections. That is why it is behaving like a terrorist organization, abducting and torturing our innocent members. We condemn this behavior in the strongest terms,” the CCC party said.

“We have received a report that our change champion, Hon Chidhakwa, was abducted, tortured, injected with an unknown substance, and subsequently dumped in Acturus at midnight by suspected state agents.

“His dreadlocks were shaved off using a sharp object. He is currently at a local hospital. The regime in Harare continues to unleash violence and launch attacks against our members. This behavior must stop,” the party said.

CCC deputy spokesperson Gift “Ostallos” Siziba said they received an SOS in the middle of the night that “our former MP for Mabvuku/Tafara Hon Chidhakwa was abducted and badly assaulted by unknown assailants and found dumped in Arcturus.

“He is badly injured and has been injected with an Unknown substance. He has a lot of deep cuts and is currently hospitalized.”

The party, however, did not state where Chidhakwa was abducted or provide a description of his kidnappers.

Rights group, Heal Zimbabwe Trust, has condemned the rise in post-election political violence and urged the police to investigate the matter.

“We condemn the abduction and brutal assault of former Mabvuku MP James Chidhakwa. We are concerned by the increase in cases of post election violence and urge the police to investigate as required by the law. Citizens must feel safe in their country,” Heal Zimbabwe Trust said.

Zimbabwe’s August 23 harmonised elections were marred by massive irregularities. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) concluded that the plebiscite fell short of the requirements of the Constitution of Zimbabwe

The polls were also characterised by incidences of violence which have now spilled over into the post election season.