“URGENT ALERT: CDF MEMBER ABDUCTED, TORTURED AND SEIZED FROM HOSPITAL.”

“The Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) wishes to alert the nation and the international community to a shocking escalation of repression against our members.

Yesterday evening, Baird Gore of Glen Norah, one of the three CDF members who conducted a peaceful walkabout in CDF regalia over the weekend, was abducted from his home by several armed men driving a black Ford Raptor.

When the armed men first arrived at his residence, Baird was not at home as he had gone to the shops. They violently assaulted his brother while demanding to know his whereabouts. Baird arrived during this assault and was immediately seized, blindfolded and taken to an unknown location.

He was severely beaten and interrogated about CDF Convener Hon. Tendai Biti and the organization’s strategy to resist the unconstitutional 2030 Agenda. His captors demanded to know:

1. Who was behind the recent CDF press conference
2. Which democratic forces are working with CDF
3. What the CDF leadership structure will look like after launch
4. When CDF is launching
5. Why members were mobilizing at Machipisa Shopping Centre in CDF regalia
6. Who was funding CDF

During the torture, Baird alleges that his legs were deliberately run over once with their vehicle. He also sustained a suspected broken hand and other serious injuries including his back they were beating using sticks.

After hours of abuse, he was dumped at the City Sports Centre around 7pm. With the assistance of a well-wisher, he contacted his family and proceeded to Glen Norah Police Station where a report was filed. He was issued with a medical request form and taken to a local Hospital for urgent treatment.

Tragically, before doctors could complete their medical assessment or inform him of the results of his X-rays, a team of armed uniformed and plain-clothed officers identifying themselves as members from Machipisa Police Station stormed the hospital around 2am. They refused to wait for medical procedures to be finalized and forcibly removed him from the hospital. An alert CDF team followed the three police vehicles until they arrived at Machipisa Police Station.

This coordinated pattern of abduction, torture and re-arrest demonstrates that CDF is now under siege. The regime, rattled by a mere press conference conducted by our Convener Hon. Tendai Biti and unsettled by his attendance at the burial of National Hero Cde Blessed Runesu Geza, has resorted to intimidation and brutality to silence constitutional voices.

Let it be known,
CDF’s mission is peaceful. CDF’s mission is constitutional. CDF’s mission is democratic.

We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We will not abandon the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

To the world, take note.
To the people of Zimbabwe, remain vigilant.”

#NoTo2030
#DefendTheConstitution