Congolese Businessman Alleges Abduction by CIOs, Asks ZICC to Intervene

A Congolese trader accuses CIO and immigration officers of unlawful detention, asking the ZICC to investigate amid rising downtown Harare tuckshop tensions (image source)

A Congolese refugee and downtown Harare businessman, Desire Nsengimana, has lodged a formal complaint with the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC), accusing State security and immigration officials of harassment and unlawful detention amid an intensifying “tuckshop” turf war in the city centre. In a letter submitted by his lawyers, Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, and seen by local media, Nsengimana alleges that he was seized by officers from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and subjected to treatment he describes as arbitrary and intimidating. The complaint asks the ZICC to investigate whether proper procedures were followed and to recommend remedial action and protection. The incident, the lawyers argue, forms part of a broader pattern of pressure on informal traders, where competition over prime retail spots has escalated into what some vendors describe as a “tuckshop war.”

According to the filing, Nsengimana says he has been repeatedly targeted by state agents in ways that exceed routine enforcement. His lawyers are requesting that the ZICC assess whether the conduct of security and immigration personnel complied with the law and human-rights standards, and whether any abuse of power occurred. They have also asked for urgent protective measures during the inquiry. The ZICC—mandated to receive and investigate complaints against security services—has statutory authority to probe alleged misconduct and make recommendations to oversight bodies. Nsengimana’s lawyers say they turned to the commission because ordinary channels had proved ineffective or risky for a complainant who fears reprisals.

Tuckshops—small informal retail outlets that serve local communities and commuter flows—remain a backbone of downtown Harare’s economy. But recent months have seen rising tensions between operators, and between traders and municipal or security agencies. Vendors say competition for lucrative locations, combined with inconsistent regulation and enforcement, has created fertile ground for disputes. Foreign-owned tuckshops, including those run by refugees and migrants, are often more vulnerable; lacking the protections of local operators, they become easy targets for harassment, extortion or arbitrary action. Civil-society groups warn that heavy-handed tactics by security agencies risk aggravating tensions and undermining the rule of law when misconduct allegations go uninvestigated.

At the time of filing, the CIO and immigration authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations. Standard journalistic practice requires that such agencies be offered an opportunity to comment. Nsengimana’s lawyers say they intend to forward the ZICC’s findings to relevant bodies and may pursue further legal remedies if necessary. The ZICC has previously handled high-profile complaints and can recommend disciplinary or administrative action. Observers say the current case will test the commission’s independence and its ability to protect vulnerable complainants from abuses of power.

If substantiated, the allegations raise serious questions about due process, the treatment of refugees and migrants, and the conduct of security personnel in commercial disputes. Unlawful detention, harassment and denial of legal counsel touch on domestic law and international human-rights obligations. Nsengimana’s legal team has signalled readiness to seek civil or criminal remedies based on the inquiry’s outcome. The next step is for the ZICC to formally acknowledge the complaint and determine its admissibility. A full investigation could include requesting statements from implicated agencies, interviewing witnesses and gathering corroborating evidence. The lawyers have urged swift action, citing fear of further harassment.

For now, the case spotlights the tense intersection of informal urban economies, state authority and migrant vulnerability in Harare’s central business district. It also underscores the importance of independent oversight mechanisms in resolving disputes that pit small traders against powerful state actors. The ZICC’s response will reveal whether those mechanisms can deliver timely accountability and meaningful protection.