On 13 May 2008, Charles Thole and James Mushayi were reportedly abducted by ZANU PF supporters in Kotwa, Mudzi. They were held hostage and reportedly tortured at a ZANU PF base at the Muzezuru Primary School before being freed with the help of a lawyer and members of the police. MP elect for Mudzi North, Newten Kapecha, is suspected of having instigated the torture. He also reportedly confiscated the accreditation cards and ZESN t-shirts of eight other ZESN observers.

Further Information

Posted 20/05/2008 On 25 April 2008, the ZESN offices were raided and members of the organisation were harassed. The Chairperson, the National Director and the Programmes Manager have all been detained and interrogated several times.

Front Line believes that Charles Thole and James Mushayi have been targeted because of their legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular their work to promote democracy in Zimbabwe. Front Line is concerned about the physical and psychological integrity of Charles Thole, James Mushayi and all other members of the ZESN.

For further information, please check http://www.zesn.org.zw/ [1]