by Christopher Makaza

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Sibusiso Moyo has warned opposition elements against rushing to blame Government for the alleged abduction of the MDC-Alliance activists, Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova and legislator Joana Mamombe.

The Minister’s message came at a time when Government's detractors had gone overdrive on social media blaming the alleged abductions on Government.

In a press statement yesterday, Dr Moyo highlighted that the allegations were particularly grave in that they involved alleged abuse of the rights of the girl child, a vulnerable group of the society which the Government is on record as resolutely promoting and protecting.

The Minister said the allegations made by the women had some indications of an involvement of a possible third force considering that the illegal demonstration coincided with regional and international events such as SADC Troika summit held last week in Harare, and the impending SADC Council of Ministers virtual meeting.

“Surely they would better serve the cause of justice by allowing the law to take its course and to await the outcome of the investigation rather than jump to conclusions or wantonly ascribe culpability.

“Although Government has refrained from drawing its own hasty conclusions, it is difficult to ignore the glaring similarities which exist between this recent alleged incident and several such allegations in the past, which have all borne similar hallmarks of stage-managed theatre designed to soil the image of the Government and indeed the nation and to divert attention from the on-going implosion and ever-shifting allegiances within some political formations in the opposition,” said Minister Moyo.

The alleged abduction of the trio was viewed by some political analysts including opposition elements as fake and stage managed drama meant to tarnish the image of the country in the eyes of the international community.

Former MDC-T Vice President Obert Gutu described as shameful MDC`s behavior of tagging and involving the West in the alleged abduction issue, sidelining regional blocks like SADC.

 “You tweet and tag Western embassies and some racist Western legislators in Europe and the United States. You deliberately don't tag African Union, SADC this, beyond a shadow of doubt, characterizes you as shameful Western puppets. Disgraceful,” Gutu tweeted.

Other opposition elements who have made it their habit to stage abductions to tarnish Government's image include the former Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) Acting President Dr Peter Magombeyi, Comedian Samantha Kureya and Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe leader Obert Masaraure among others.

MDC legislator, Job Sikhala also once claimed that he had been abducted by unknown armed men only for the world to learn that the claim had been made to cover up for his absence from home. It was later revealed that he was holed up at a mistress’ place.

Political analyst, Tedius Bvutere said the opposition elements use these fake abduction claims and violent demonstrations to tarnish the Government’s image especially prior to international gatherings as a way of casting a negative spotlight on it.

“It`s not by coincidence that these scenes occur before or during some global events where Zimbabwe will be taking part, it`s by design.  It`s not a secret that the timing of the alleged Magombeyi abduction last year was meant to cause maximum embarrassment to  President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s New York visit for the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“It should also be noted that Magombeyi`s alleged abduction coincided with the United Nations Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule`s visit to Zimbabwe to assess the country's achievements and challenges in relation to the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the country,” said Bvuterere.

In November 2018, Nelson Chamisa allegedly stage managed an abduction attempt on his way from a thank you rally in Marondera

During his speech in Marondera, Chamisa had claimed that State security agents were allegedly following him around.