Doctors in Zimbabwe are on strike demanding the release of an abducted union leader.
Peter Magombeyi who heads a doctor’s union disappeared on Saturday.
His colleague doctors and other union officials fear that he could have been abducted by the security forces.
Dr. Magombeyi has not been heard from since after sending a message on Saturday to his girlfriend saying he had been kidnapped by three men.
Magombeyi reportedly organized a doctors’ strike demanding better working conditions.
He had said the worsening economic conditions in Zimbabwe made it impossible for his colleagues to get to work on a salary of $100 a month.
Government assurances
Health Minister Odabiah Moyo has said on twitter that the state security agencies are searching for search for Peter Magombeyi who is the acting president of the Zimbabwe Hospitals Association (ZHDA).
“We are taking this matter very seriously and we condemn illegal acts by whosoever with the revulsion it deserves,” he said in a video posted on twitter.
— Ministry of HealthZW (@MoHCCZim) September 15, 2019
But doctors in Zimbabwe are accusing the government of being behind the abduction of Magombeyi.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa however commented on the development saying Dr Magombey’s only crime was to “ask for a living wage for his profession”.
It breaks my heart knowing that the family of Dr Peter Magombeyi is terrified of what is happening to their loved one. Dr Magombeyi’s crime is only to ask for a living wage for his profession. This is a reflection of the troubles born out of refusal to implement Political Reforms pic.twitter.com/N4SNi4PNrA
— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 15, 2019
In Zimbabwe there is a trend of activists and opponents of the government often abducted and tortured.
The police say they are investigating the incident but claimed there was a possibility it was staged to tarnish the country’s reputation.
Last month a Zimbabwean comedienne was reportedly abducted and brutalized for her sketches and acts.
Samantha Kureya, known by her stage name “Gonyeti” was accused by her attackers of undermining the government through her popular acts.
Source: Africafeeds.com
