McGee was speaking at an annual Auxillia Chimusoro awards ceremony where Mukoko was supposed to be the master of ceremony. The organizers had to frantically look for a replacement following the abduction of Mukoko.

“We all know that Jestina Mukoko was supposed to be the master of ceremony but was abducted at 5 am this morning. I call upon whoever has abducted Mukoko, whether it is the government, the police or anyone to release her. We want Mukoko released now,” said McGee.

Mukoko who had left broadcasting to head a human rights organization, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) was abducted early morning from her home in Norton, 50km west of Harare. Police could not be reached immediately.

The ZPP has played a crucial role in documenting politically motivated violence before and in the run-up to the March 2008 harmonized elections and in the run-up to the June presidential run-off election.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Wellington Chibhebhe who had been arrested during protests was released after the intervention of reserve bank governor Gideon Gono.

Chibhebhe’s arrest came as police rounded up more than 70 workers countrywide who had participated in the protests. “He (Chibhebhe) has been released after the intervention of the governor. You imagine the depth of the crisis when a central bank governor intervenes for the release of an arrested person,” said Matombo.

The ZCTU leadership will meet Gono tomorrow to assist him with statistics of the labour industry. “He wants us to help with statistics regarding the number of formally employed workers and average wages so that we can find a solution to the cash crisis,” said Matombo.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) condemned the arrests. “The MDC condemns Zanu PF's terror tactics. We believe that the workers' rights are inviolable and inalienable and any democratic authority should allow workers to exercise their constitutional rights of assembly and movement. We believe that the ZCTU's peaceful protest was justified as the people cannot survive on the $500 000 daily maximum withdrawal limit. The cash shortages and high inflation signify the general collapse of all sectors in the country due to misgovernance, corruption and patronage,” the party said in a statement.