Abducted Zimbabwe opposition activist found dead

A Zimbabwe opposition activist who was abducted at the weekend while campaigning ahead of key by-elections has been found dead. 

Tapfumanei Masaya's body was found in a decomposed state on the outskirts of the capital Harare, his party, the Citizens Coalition for Change, said.

"We demand the police to investigate this heinous crime and bring the perpetrators to justice," it said on X. 

In a statement, the police confirmed the location of a body but said the identity of the dead person was yet to be established and more details would be released later.

The CCC says the activist had been forced into a vehicle by armed men on Saturday while campaigning for a party candidate ahead of the 9 December polls.

The by-elections are being held following what the party said was an "illegal and fraudulent" recall of its members. 

Last month, over a dozen opposition MPs lost their seats after a man, who declared himself as the party’s interim secretary-general, said the MPs were no longer members. 

The CCC now says the recall of its elected members had resulted "in the death of our change champion". 

The death of the activist follows a pattern of abductions of opposition politicians and human rights activists in Zimbabwe. 

The CCC has blamed state agents for the violence against its members - which the ruling Zanu-PF party has denied.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Image by CCC/XX