KEVIN TINKER RETURNS AFTER ABDUCTION & BEATING :

Missing white farmer returns after beating Harare - A white Zimbabwean farmer on Wednesday said he was forced to swear allegiance to the ruling ZANU-PF party when he was abducted by war veterans on independence day. "I made allegiance to ZANU-PF and they gave me a T-shirt, I wouldn't be here otherwise," said Kevin Tinker, 48. Tinker is a known member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Tinker told reporters he was abducted on Tuesday by 20 suspected war veterans and ZANU-PF sympathisers from his farm in Christon Bank, about 20 kilometres north of the capital, and kept hostage for five hours. "I was abducted from my house. I was assaulted with an open hand," Tinker said. He said the veterans broke the gate to his farm to gain access and searched his house, confiscating all MDC literature, before taking him to a location which he did not want to identify. "It was very stressful and very scary," said Tinker, battling to hold back tears. Asked if he would continue to be active in opposition politics, he said: "At this stage I can say I'm confused and I'm lucky to be alive". He said it was apparent the group was acting on instructions from the state intelligence agency. - Sapa-AFP. Mac (Rhodie@Cape) Cape Town, SA - Wednesday, April 19, 2000 at 06:14:51 (PDT)
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