Zimbabwe Opposition MP Abducted, Tortured, Found Naked

In a huge blow to human rights, Takudzwa Ngadziore, an opposition member of parliament in Zimbabwe, was allegedly abducted, tortured, and found naked along a roadside amid a political crisis in the country. 

Takudzwa Ngadziore, one of the youngest legislators for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), was abducted and tortured by unknown armed men on Wednesday. They assaulted the opposition MP and dumped him about 50 km north of the capital Harare.

The brutal incident has shocked the entire nation. The 24-year-old member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has suffered amid the political crisis in the country.

What happened to the Zimbabwe Opposition MP?

When the brutal incident took place, the Zimbabwe Opposition MP recorded himself on Facebook live, describing how he was being chased by a group of people. A man wielding a military assault rifle was seen running towards him with the intention of harming the MP. Later on, the video cuts off abruptly after seven minutes. The video was widely circulated on social media.

According to the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), a Zimbabwean political party led by politician and lawyer Nelson Chamisa and its official spokesperson is Fadzayi Mahere, said in a statement that Takudzwa Ngadziore was “on his way to parliament on Wednesday morning, when he was abducted at gunpoint and tortured.”

A recorded statement by a CCC spokesperson said that the act was politically motivated. The CCC spokesperson slammed targeted abductions. He revealed that the group of men severely assaulted the MP and injected him with an unknown substance.

Zimbabwe Opposition MP Found Naked

Zimbabwe Opposition MP Takudzwa Ngadziore was “found naked, left for dead, and ultimately dumped in Mazowe,” according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). 

His back showed signs of severe beatings. His friend went to pick him up from the road. He was hospitalized because of his injuries. 

The CCC blamed the ruling ZANU-PF party. The police and ZANU-PF did not comment on the incident. Local media and human rights groups alleged that abductors may belong to the Zimbabwean security forces.

This incident raises concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe following the disputed August elections.

His case is not an isolated one. Abductions of opposition have become common in Zimbabwe. Last week, James Chidhakwa, a former CCC MP, was kidnapped and tortured. His head was also shaved. In September, Womberaishe Nhende, the elected CCC councilor for Glen Norah Ward 27 in Harare, the Capital of Zimbabwe, and activist Sonele Mukhuhlani, were allegedly abducted and tortured. 

These cases are a huge blow to human rights in Zimbabwe.