Second UA: 124/19 Index: AFR 46/1086/2019 Zimbabwe
Date: 23 October 2019
URGENT ACTION
MEDICAL DOCTOR FOUND ALIVE BUT TORTURED
On 19 September 2019, Dr Peter Magombeyi, a medical doctor was found alive and
disoriented, dumped about 33 km out of Harare in a placed called Nyabira. Dr
Magombeyi was abducted on the night of 14 September 2019. He said he was held
in a basement where he was tortured. There are fears that he was injected with an
unknown substance by his abductors. The government accused him of faking the
abduction and tried to prevent him from seeking medical treatment outside the
country. Fears are that he may be arrested and charged for “faking an abduction”
upon his return.
TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER
His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Munhumutapa Building
Private Bag 7700
Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
Email: info@opc.gov.zw
Your Excellency President Mnangagwa
On 19 September 2019 medical doctor Peter Magombeyi was found alive and disoriented, 33 km out of
Harare after being abducted on 14 September 2019, from his home in in Harare. He had previously served
notice to the Minister of Health and Child Care that doctors across the country would go on strike. There are
fears that he may have been poisoned by his abductors and he is currently seeking further medical treatment
in South Africa. The government has also accused him of faking the abduction.
I am concerned by the authorities’ statement that Dr Peter Magombeyi faked his abduction. The authorities
have legal obligation to respect and protect Peter’s right to life, liberty and personal security. Peter has the
right to seek and choose adequate medical attention including from outside the country.
I therefore urge you to:
Ensure that the Minister of Home Affairs thoroughly, impartially and effectively investigates the
circumstances of the abduction of Peter Magombeyi and ensure that those suspected to be
responsible are brought to justice in fair trials;
Guarantee the safe return of Peter Magombeyi without fear of harassment, intimidation or arbitrary
arrest;
Take the necessary steps to ensure thorough, impartial and effective investigations of all cases of
enforced disappearances in Zimbabwe, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are
brought to justice and that the victims and their families have access to justice and effective
remedies, which include restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of
non-repetition.
Yours sincerely,