The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporter
AN MDC activist who operated in Mabutweni, Bulawayo has reportedly gone into hiding after he was initially picked at his residency with four other activists for allegedly inciting political violence.
Over the years a number of supporters of the opposition have been targeted by the ruling party for campaigning for the MDC, with a number disappearing under unclear circumstances.
Human rights groups have reported dozens of abductions, beatings, and rapes carried out by unidentified men in the country.
Ray Mwarihandishe Mhunga was picked up by police in the suburb after it was alleged that they were going around the suburb inciting the public to demonstrate against the ruling Zanu-PF.
However, it has since been revealed that the five individuals were simply distributing fliers calling on people to vote for the MDC ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the four were arrested by members of the Central Intelligence Officers (CIO) and were taken to an unknown place where they were tortured and warned from continuing with their activities.
The five were reportedly abducted for five days without the option of a trial.
“They were beaten up and tortured, fed rotten bread and forced to drink dirty water, their heads were forcibly put in water and were threatened with death. They were told to stop supporting the opposition or else they would face the consequences.
“Unfortunately, one the five died as a result of the torture. On the fifth day they were eventually released, which is when they came to us, relating to us their ordeal and further revealing they were told that people were watching them to see that they did not continue with their activities,” said a source who declined to be named.
The sources revealed that Ray Mwarihandishe Mhunga had since gone into hiding after informing colleagues that he remained traumatized by the attack and felt threatened.
“As is we do not even know where Ray is right now. His parents, wife, and children are now being attacked and threatened to reveal his whereabouts. However, he told us that the abduction had traumatized him and he now felt unsafe in the country,” said the source.
Police in a statement confirmed that Mhunga had been picked on politically related issues but refused to give further details.
The situation is tense in Zimbabwe as the country’s main opposition party, the MDC has called for the toppling of the ruling party ahead of next year’s elections.
The government has issued a stern warning against any protests, accusing unnamed foreign collaborators of working with local civil society organizations to destabilize the country through protests.
