By Christopher Makaza
Over the past few months, members from the opposition political parties MDC Alliance in particular, Civic Society Organisations (SCOs) and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been making claims of being abducted, being under surveillance, their lives being in danger and other imagined threats from the Government, claims which some people suspect could be stage managed to tarnish government image.
Attention-seeking actions that provoke the State to act are a sure way for civil society and opposition leaders to gain a few front page stories that discredit the government.
The recent alleged abduction of Zimbabwe Hospitals Doctors` Association (ZHDA) Dr Peter Mugombeyi from his house in Budiriro over the weekend is clear indication that the abductions are being perpetrated by government detractors whose intention is to tarnish the image of the country as most of them are surprisingly coinciding with international events.
Dr Mugombeyi`s abduction was meant to coincide with the visit to Zimbabwe by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
The special Rapporteur, Mr. Clement Nyaletsossi Voule will soon be in the country on a fact finding mission. In addition to this high profile visit, the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly that kicked off recently in New York. These two events provide an opportune time for the new dispensation`s detractors to soil the Zimbabwe`s image.
CSOs, NGOs and the American Embassy have used countless attempts to get the opposition MDC-A into power through the backdoor, using unconventional and illegal tactics.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader Obert Masaraure claimed to have been abducted, tortured and dumped by suspected State agents.
ARTUZ also claimed that 47 of its members had been harassed by State agents, with several abducted, while five others have skipped the borders.
In April, three ARTUZ members, Robson Chere, Jess Drury, Precious Ndlovu and Munyaradzi Ndawana claimed to have been abducted in Greystone Park by four plain-clothed men using one vehicle. It was, however, discovered that Chere skipped the border to evade arrest.
The US Embassy in Zimbabwe suspiciously invited ARTUZ provincial representatives to Harare for a meeting to discuss the Union’s pending demonstrations. The meeting was facilitated by controversial ARTUZ board member Douglas Coltart who is MDC Alliance activist.
Reports are that, the US Embassy offered the ATRUZ members accommodation at the embassy where US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols encouraged ARTUZ to stage more demonstrations, indicating that it was within their democratic rights.
Last year MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa made mischievous, allegations of attempted abduction on his way from addressing a rally in Marondera.
A video of the so-called abduction went viral on social media capturing skirmishes between Mr Chamisa’s security team and occupants of a Toyota Harrier which his party claims were State security agents trying to abduct their leader. The video clearly showed that it was a drama, stage-managed in an effort to paint a picture that Chamisa`s life was under threat.
Several local and international NGOs, including prominent regime change activists, have been implicated in an unfolding plot to topple the Government of Zimbabwe through violent protests.
A few months ago, several NGO leaders, including Citizens Manifesto co-ordinator Tatenda Mombeyarara, Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe Advocacy officer George Makoni, Nyasha Frank Mpahlo of Transparency International Zimbabwe and executive director of COTRAD Gamuchirai Mukura were implicated in planning to destabilise a constitutional elected Government.
After the failed demonstrations, it appears the detractors have moved on to fake abductions to incite people to revolt against government and only time will tell that this is yet again another failed strategy.
