Amnesty International has called the Zimbabwean government to initiate an independent and transparent investigation into the whereabouts of journalist and pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara, marking 10 years since his abduction by alleged state agents.
Dzamara was forcibly taken on 9 March 2015 from a barber shop in Harare’s Glen View suburb by five men who accused him of cattle theft before handcuffing him and driving away in a truck with concealed number plates.
Despite efforts by family members and human rights lawyers to locate him, all attempts have been unsuccessful.
“Authorities have yet to conduct any credible inquiry into Itai Dzamara’s fate or whereabouts,” said Tigere Chagutah, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International.
“It is time for the authorities to stop pretending and get serious about finding Itai Dzamara and holding accountable whoever is suspected of responsibility for his enforced disappearance.”
Dzamara’s enforced disappearance followed months of persecution after he petitioned then-president Robert Mugabe to resign.
Prior to his disappearance, Dzamara led a protest group that called for mass action against Zimbabwe’s economic decline.
Following his abduction, his wife filed a missing person report while Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights sought judicial intervention to compel authorities to investigate.
Despite a High Court order requiring police to search for Dzamara and provide biweekly progress reports, compliance has been lacking.
JN/APA