PROTESTS continued in Zimbabwe today as doctors took to the streets demanding the safe return of a union leader who was “kidnapped” last weekend for his role in organising strike action.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) president Peter Magombeyi went missing on Saturday night after sending a WhatsApp message saying he’d been “kidnapped by three men.”

The union says he was taken by Zimbawean security forces because of his role in strike action demanding better pay and conditions for health workers.

Zimbabwe’s government has denied involvement in the disappearance of Mr Magombeyi.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana said the administration had “no reason” to abduct citizens. “Threats to the security of persons and acts of terror are ultimately threats to the security of the state. There is no rhyme nor reason for the state to undermine itself,” he said on Monday.

But opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa said the disappearance showed the government had failed to protect its citizens.

“We can’t build a united nation when our doctors are underpaid and abducted when they raise legitimate concerns,” he said. “This defines a banana republic!”

Doctors are paid less than £160 per month in Zimbabwe and the country has been crippled by hyperinflation, leading to a shortage of medical supplies and unsafe staffing levels.

More than 10,000 nurses were sacked last year after refusing to adhere to a government deadline to return to work in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Speaking at Monday’s rally, ZHDA’s vice-president Masimba Ndoro said: “This demo is about our president. Getting him back won’t get us back to work,” he said, adding that the pay issue also needed to be addressed.

Mr Magombeyi reported that he had received threatening messages prior to his disappearance. Police said that they were investigating.