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Chronicle Reporter

A WELL known member of the opposition MDC-T was allegedly kidnapped and beaten together with his son and friend while they attempted to visit fellow members of the opposition imprisoned at Chikurubi maximum prison.

Regmond Katemauswa, his son Bothwell Katemauswa and fried Fungai Musochera had gone to the prison with the intention of visiting and giving food parcels to fellow party members who are either imprisoned or on remand at the prison.

Raymond together with his son, Bothwell are senior party members in Mrewha West district with Raymond also being a found member of Helping Hand an entity within the party that goes around assisting people in need.

Sources close to the matter revealed that when the trio approached prison guards at the jail, they were barred from entering with the guards claiming that they had orders that the party members should not get any visitors.

It has also emerged that these is not the first time that both Raymond and Bothwell have been targeted, with Bothwell having been attacked by suspected members of the ruling Zanu-PF accusing him of recruiting members for the opposition.

“It is while they were still negotiating that people wearing Zanu-PF regalia pounced on them, blindfolded them and took them to an unknown destination where they were thoroughly beaten and told in no uncertain means to stop associating with the party.

“Bothwell got the rough end of the stick during the said attack as he was accused of being stubborn as they had once warmed him to stop his activities,” said the source on condition of anonymity, fearing victimisation.

A family source, close to the Katemauswas revealed the incident had left Bothwell traumatised.

“As is he just changed and informed his close friends thar he feared that those that attacked would come back again, we do not know what to do. As is we do kot even know where he is because he just disappeared.

“What makes matters worse is that even the police came looking for him, clearly om trumped up charges and just because he chooses to support the opposition that is his only crime,” said the source.

Police sources confirmed that a warrant of arrest against Bothwell had since been opened without specifying his crime.