Frantic hunt for activists

There are frantic efforts, Mutsekwa said. We are definitely working on that, but its an issue we cannot discuss with the media. Once we do that, we risk exposing our strategy. But yes, indeed, we are definitely working on that.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the party had appealed to members of the public for information about the fate of the missing seven.
Our efforts did not bear fruit, Chamisa said.
Some believe the MDC has given up hope of finding the missing seven, accepting that they could have been killed.
A letter written by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara to the SADC Chairman Jacob Zuma two weeks ago left out information on the missing activists despite this being initially listed as one of the outstanding issues.
The authorities have professed ignorance about the whereabouts of the abductees, who were snatched from their homes by gun-toting hit-squads from October 2008.
Earlier, the MDC said the continued detention of its activists was a major threat to the power-sharing agreement with Zanu (PF). But, last week, the Prime Minister said all outstanding issues had been resolved.
Three High Court rulings ordering their urgent release or their immediate appearance in court were defied as authorities insisted the seven were not in custody.
The MDC spokesman said, having worked with intensity in the last months to get information on the whereabouts of the captives, most party officials now realised they could have been killed.
Generally speaking, detention of citizens for 27 days without a court appearance is illegal, with or without a power-sharing agreement.
Under the Security of Persons and Prevention of Violence section in the global political agreement, all parties agreed to work together to ensure the security of persons and property; to guarantee the safety of any displaced persons, their safe return home and their full enjoyment of the full protection of the law.
All parties to the agreement further agreed that it was the duty of all political parties and individuals to respect and uphold the constitution and other laws of the land and to adhere to the principles of the rule of law.
The States failure to produce these persons in court or to release them is a patent violation of these important undertakings, Chamisa said.
Those missing are: Gwenzi Kahiya abducted October 29 in Zvimba; Ephraim Mabeka, Edmore Vangirayi, Lovemore Machokoto and Charles Muza abducted December 10 in Gokwe; Graham Matehwa abducted December 17 in Makoni South and Peter Munyanyi abducted December 13 in Gutu South.
While Attorney-General Johannes Tomana was not immediately available for comment, he is quoted denying that there were ever political prisoners in Zimbabwe, yet giving a definition of political detainees that perfectly fit the status of the missing seven activists.
If one is a political detainee, they do not go to court and go through all the necessary court procedures. They are confined and kept away from society, Tomana said.