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Gweru freelance journalist released after abduction
MISA-Zimbabwe
April 02, 2009

Gweru-based freelance journalist Kudzai Musengi was on 31 March 2009 allegedly abducted by three unknown men who bundled him into their car and blindfolded him before speeding off to a bushy area where he was subjected to intense interrogations.

Musengi who was eventually released around 7pm on 1 April 2009, was interrogated about his alleged involvement with reports that were being beamed by Voice of America's Studio 7 on farm invasions. Musengi denied having any links with Studio 7.

He was threatened with death and ordered not to report anything pertaining to the land issue. The interrogation took place in a bushy area where he was asked to get off the car. His alleged abductors told him that he was under surveillance and warned him against reporting about his ordeal.

According to his lawyer Tonderai Chitere, the incident happened around 8.45 pm when he was approached by one man at a local bar who informed him that he was wanted outside whereupon he met the three men who were standing near a "metallic blue sedan" vehicle. The three men then asked him to get into the car saying they had a story they wanted to give to him.

After the interrogation he was ordered back into the car before driving to an unknown location where he was taken into a room. The interrogations, threats and warnings continued. The next day and still blindfolded, according to his lawyers, he was led into a car that was parked outside. He recalls that the voices in the car where now different to those from the previous day.

After driving some distance, he was told to get out of the car. The blindfold was removed and his laptop and cellphones were returned to him before he was ordered to walk straight ahead without looking back. Although it was now dark, he later realised after recollecting his senses that he was in Mkoba where he stays and proceeded to walk home.

Musengi who told MISA-Zimbabwe that he eventually got home around 7pm after his release on 1 April 2009, said he was fine and had not been harmed in anyway by his alleged abductors.

A report has since been made to the police in Gweru.

Background

Musengi's then unknown circumstances came to light after he failed to return home after normal working hours on 31 March 2009 prompting his wife to check with colleagues as to whether they knew of his whereabouts. He had last been seen by his colleagues in Gweru late on Tuesday afternoon after attending a meeting they held to plan for the May 3 World Press Freedom Day commemorations.

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