SENIOR and junior doctors from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals today handed a petition to the office of the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa demanding the immediate release of Dr Peter Magombeyi, the acting president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA).
By Michael Gwarisa
Doctor Magombeyi whose whereabouts are yet to be established was reportedly abducted on Saturday evening around 22:00 hrs by some unidentified armed men prompting doctors from various institutions to down tools demanding the his release.
According to the petition, the doctors indicated that they have withdrawn their services with immediate effect and could only resume work after he has been returned to his family safe and sound.
We the senior specialist doctors working in the Governmental Health Institutions met today 16 September 2019 at Parirenyatwa Hospital. We deliberated on the disappearance of our colleague Dr Peter Magombeyi which was reported to Budiriro Police station RB NUMBER 4085997.
“Dr Magombeyi’s whereabouts remains unknown and we are seriously concerned about his welfare. We therefore demand his unconditional return to his family. In the meantime, we have withdrawn our services as from 0800 hrs 16th of September 2019 as medical practitioners from public and private services. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”
The minister of health and child care, Dr Obadiah Moyo yesterday issued a statement condemning the abduction and called on state security apparatuses to act swiftly to locate him.
Meanwhile, the High court has ordered the release of Dr Magombeyi within the next 48 hours and directed the home affairs and state security ministers to determine his whereabouts within that time frame.
