ZIMBABWE Hospitals Doctors Association (ZHDA) acting president Peter Magombeyi, believed to have been abducted a fortnight ago, is still under a 24-hour police surveillance in hospital.
The around-the-clock police surveillance comes after 15 unidentified men tried to “smuggle” him from hospital, ostensibly to take him to South Africa for further treatment.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Wednesday, Information and Publicity minister Monica Mutsvangwa told the media that Magombeyi was not under police surveillance against his will.
“When Dr Mangombeyi was taken to Avenues Clinic, where he is admitted, Mr Kingston Magombeyi, the father of Dr Peter Magombeyi, hired a private security company to guard him.
“It is his constitutional obligation to provide security to his son so the Zimbabwe Republic Police is doing their rightfull duty of taking care of citizens,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Fifteen unidentified men went to the hospital to take Dr Mangomdeyi. The police on guard sought reinforcements to protect him so that investigations can continue,” Mutsvangwa added.
“Dr Magombeyi is a victim of an alleged abduction so the police will protect him and guarantee him safety,” Mutsvangwa said.
This comes after reports that riot police were deployed to the hospital where he is admitted and reportedly denied him permission to leave for South Africa to seek medical attention.
“Dr Magombeyi was examined by both government and other doctors to assess the extent of injury sustained and the results are not yet available,” Mutsvangwa also said.