A Zimbabwean truck driver Charles Nyasha Mudzinganyama is reported to have went missing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an area that borders Angola and Congo Brazzaville, Ministry of foreign affairs has revealed.
Mudzinganyama a driver employed by Sabot is said to have disappeared after leaving his colleagues resting in preparation of their journey to DRC.
This was reviewed in a statement made by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry spokesperson Shepherd Gwenzi.
In a statement Gwenzi said.
“Mr. Mudzinganyama, was part of a convoy of 12 trucks that left Harare on 15 July 2019 and arrived at Busaga, DRC, on the same day. It is said that he left all his particulars and money in the truck on the assumption that he was to relive himself but never came back.”
An alarm was raised after he did not come back causing a panick among Mudzinganyama’s colleagues.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Sabot are currently seeking assistance from both the Angolan and DRC embassies.
“The Ministry has contacted our Embassies in Angola and DRC, and is working also with the Human Resources Manager at Sabot, to render all possible assistance in establishing the whereabouts of Mr. Mudzinganyama,” said Gwenzi.
Currently it is not yet clear whether Mudzinganyama’s disappearance was an abduction or a runaway.
The Ministry stated this was not the first incident after another Zimbabwean truck driver Nephias Ruduvo was kidnapped by armed bandits within the war ton area of DRC.
“Ministry on 27 July 2019, noted with concern the kidnapping of another Zimbabwean citizen, Mr Nephias Ruduvo, by armed bandits in the South Kivu Province, DRC,” Gwenzi said.
The kidnappers of Ruduvo are said to have contacted a DRC governor and are demanding a prisoner exchange for the release of the driver.
“the kidnappers’ leader has advised the Governor of Maniema of their demands which revolve around release from prison of the members of their community and issues around the mining which have not been fulfilled,” said Gwenzi.
