Before being turned over to the police on suspicion of plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a Budiriro man was subjected to brutal assault and torture by alleged Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents.
This was revealed in court yesterday when Taurayi Ernest Munyika (48), who was charged with assault and torture, appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
The court was informed that Munyika and his companions went to the shrine of the Johane Masowe Yechishanu Yenyenyedzi Nomwe Church in Budiriro 4 on October 13, 2022, at 1600 hours, and asked to see Herbert Thabo Senda after identifying themselves as CIOs.
The co-accused, who are still at large and include Mark Jack, Munyaradzi Mupazviripo, Reward Baradze, and Bonface Muzembe Mashingaidze, were present with Munyika.
They alleged, among other things, that Senda was planning to depose Mnangagwa.
He was then instructed to follow them to their headquarters at St. Barbara House in the heart of the city so they could clear his identity.
Senda, on the other hand, promised to report the next day, but Jack allegedly pulled a gun and threatened to shoot Senda.
They then urged him to get into his Toyota X-Trail and head toward the city center.
When they arrived at the Highglen traffic circle, the accused individuals gave Senda the command to stop driving and compelled him to get into one of their Toyota Raider double cabs.
He was blindfolded and driven to an unidentified location before being brought to St. Barbara House, which is located at the intersection of Takawira Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue.
They allegedly beat Senda all over his body and used an electric shocker to punish him.
They are accused of robbing the complainant of US$330.
The victim of the abuse lost a tooth as a result of the torture.
The accused individuals turned over the complainant to Harare Central Police Station on the same day at around 2200 hours.
