Chitungwiza tout kidnapped, assaulted and denied food for two days
Police statement captures 40-year-old's horror in captivity
By Auther Chimbgwa
A Chitungwiza man who was touting for passengers in the satellite town was kidnapped and severely beaten up recently by five men who also denied him food for two days.
Nyasha Makwembere (40), who resides in Zengeza 3, Chitungwiza, was seized by yet to be identified suspects on 25 January 2026 at around 6 pm, according to police spokesperson for Harare Province Inspector Luckmore Chakanza.
Chakanza said “Makwembere was touting for passengers at Zengeza 3 Shopping Centre near AFM Church when suddenly a black Honda fit, whose registration numbers were not captured, with five male adults stopped in front of him.”
“Two unknown male adults disembarked from the motor vehicle and grabbed Makwembere and dragged him into their black Honda fit and drove off towards Harare central business centre.
“The victim was tied with an electric cable on both hands,” Chakanza said in a statement.
When the suspects reached Seke road, they drove off into Delpot road where they stopped at an unknown place.
They reportedly ordered Makwembere to disembark and frog-marched him to a small one-roomed house where they assaulted him with a wooden stick and fists all over his body.
They allegedly locked him inside the house from 25-27 January without offering him any food while taking turns to assault him with a broom stick and fists.
On 27 January 2026, they took Makwembere to his sister in St Mary’s suburb where they dumped him at the gate.
He was then taken to Chitungwiza Hospital on the same day where he was admitted and was discharged two days later.
A report was made at St Mary’s Police Station on 29 January.
Makwembere sustained a swollen head, while he also suffered injuries on his ribs and bruises on the legs.
Police say they have opened up an investigation into the incident whose motive is not yet known.
