Kidnappings harm Zimbabwe unity talks

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- A string of abductions in Zimbabwe has harmed the effort to form a unity government, and the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) might pull out of talks, a spokesman told CNN.

"We hold Mugabe and his caretaker government accountable for the missing people and whatever happens to them," said MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa on Wednesday. "We have furnished both the African Union and the United Nations about our reservations of Mugabe's actions and our suspicion that ZANU-PF is not sincere about the talks."

A government spokesman denied the allegation, claiming the MDC was fabricating stories to get Western media attention.

Sixteen supporters of the group -- 15 in Chinhoyi and one in Harare -- were abducted on Monday, said Chamisa.

The party blamed members of Mugabe's party, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Chamisa added.

Last week human rights activist Jestina Mukoko was kidnapped from her home. Her co-workers at Zimbabwe Peace Project were abducted on Tuesday from work. They are all yet to be located. The High Court on Tuesday ordered the police to hunt for Mukoko.

In all, about 20 people have been abducted, including a toddler, Chamisa said.

Zimbabwe has had no Cabinet since the March presidential election, and Mugabe has said he would appoint a Cabinet if MDC leaders were not ready to join the national unity government.

Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC has accused Mugabe of violating their September agreement by keeping all key ministries, such as home affairs, local government, foreign affairs and finance and defense, for his own party.

The political troubles have exacerbated an economic crisis and humanitarian crisis, including a cholera outbreak that has killed hundreds. On Tuesday, a government spokesman claimed "the cholera situation is under control" and argued the West not only caused the health crisis but was using it to justify military intervention.

The once-prosperous nation's inflation rate is 231 million percent and rising -- the world's highest. Watch Zimbabweans trying to survive »