Two weeks ago, another political activist was abducted and killed in Zimbabwe. Tapfumeyi Masaya and fellow activist Jeffrey Kalosi were kidnapped on 11 November 2023 during a campaign for an opposition party candidate in the parliamentary by-elections to be held on 9 December. Both Masaya and Kalosi were reportedly tortured before Kalosi was released. Masaya was not as fortunate. His body was found two days later a few kilometres outside of Harare.

Masaya’s killing comes at a time when President Emmerson Mnangagwa has just begun his second term in office, after the widely-contested general elections in August. Several opposition activists have reportedly been kidnapped and tortured in Zimbabwe since the beginning of the elections campaign period. While many would like to protest the outcome of the vote, most are afraid to speak out for fear of being targeted.

Masaya’s killing is still being investigated.  We are watching this case closely.