The Zimbabwe National Army has admitted that human rights activist Itai Dzamara of a truth is missing.
Dzamara was last seen on the 9th March 2015 and the ZANU PF government has claimed that he skipped the border into Mozambique. Other government sources suggested saying he fled into Botswana under the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC party’s guide.
But speaking in response to revelations of visits to publisher Trevor Ncube’s house in Harare by men dressed in army uniform, the army Spokesperson, Brigadier-General John Chris Mupande said Dzamara is genuinely missing.
“The ZDF takes great exception to reference that its personnel were involved in the visits to Trevor Ncube’s house,” he said.
He continued, “such is tantamount to trivialising as well as criminalising the role of the ZDF, especially to the extent that an attempt is made to link this unverified episode to the disappearance of Itai Dzamara.”
Mapande said Dzamara and the nature of activities leading to his disappearance did not constitute any threat warranting the involvement of the ZDF, “ much as house searches are not a role of the ZDF”.
“Even the kind of activities that Ncube is involved in, namely publishing, do not constitute the nature of threat that ordinarily or historically warranted the mobilisation of any capabilities of the ZDF,” he said.
“As a national defence institution, we are at all times seized with our primary role of defending Zimbabwe and its interests, as enshrined in our national Constitution, including preparing ourselves for that role. Such interests are not located at private residences of any of our nationals.”
Mupande said part of the ZDF regalia, such as berets, caps and badges were obtainable from many sources and are subject to abuse, and are, “therefore, not by themselves proof that anyone adorning them is a bonafide member”.