HARARE medical doctor Peter Magombeyi who was reported
missing on Sunday, was yesterday found at Nyabira, some 20km from the city
centre.
Dr Magombeyi’s alleged abduction and disappearance sparked
demonstrations with medical doctors downing tools demanding his release, but
there were also questions on the truthfulness of the claim with indications
that the act could have been staged.
Speaking to The Herald on his mobile phone last night, Dr Magombeyi said he was safe and sound.
“I’m safe and sound. I don’t have much to say but I’m in
Nyabira, waiting for my colleagues to come and pick me up.”
He said he had a hazy recollection of what happened since
he was allegedly kidnapped last weekend when alleged assailants took him.
“I only remember that I was kidnapped by three men in town
and I do not remember what happened afterwards,” he said.
Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association (ZHDA) secretary
general Dr Mthabisi Bhebhe also confirmed that Dr Magombeyi had been found.
“I have called him and he indicated he is safe and sound. I
personally spoke to him. He is in bushy area somewhere but he is well,” he
said.
An hour after The Herald called him, Dr Magombeyi
confirmed that he was now in the company of his colleagues.
He also granted an interview to Voice of America’s Studio
7.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that Dr Peter
Magombeyi (26) who went missing on September 14, has been found by the police at
Nyabira,” he said.
He added that Dr Magombeyi had been debriefed by the police
and had access to his lawyers.
Asst Comm Nyathi said Dr Magombeyi had no physical injuries
and was due to be examined by health authorities to ascertain any injuries he
may have suffered during the ordeal.
News of Dr Magombeyi’s alleged abduction and disappearance
last weekend spread wildly, with opposition and civil society blaming it on
State agents.
There has been a series of such abductions lately, which
have strongly been suspected to be either staged for publicity purposes or
directed by some agents to besmirch the image of Zimbabwean Government ahead of
regional and international forums such as Sadc summit and the forthcoming
United Nations General Assembly meeting to be held in New York, United States.
However, a Harare Central Hospital internal memorandum
dated September 16, 2019 and addressed to the chief executive officer by the
human resources department, indicated that Dr Magombeyi bade farewell to his
colleague and told him to lock up the door since he was going for an all-night
prayer.
Anti-Government lobbyists and civil society are widely
believed to be faking abductions and blaming the State to soil Zimbabwe’s image
in the international community.
Further, the United States Embassy in Harare – a stone’s
throw from where Dr Mugombeyi was found – is believed to be behind the
so-called black ops and heightened anti-establishment agitation to maintain a
hostile, hardline stance against Zimbabwe, inclusive of sanctions despite
Harare’s best efforts under President Mnangagwa to reform and seek rapprochment
with the global family of nations. Herald
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