Harare-Zimbabwe’s striking medical doctors on Thursday petitioned Parliament over the disappearance of their union leader.

Despite heavy police presence at Harare’s Africa Unity Square the doctors managed to present their petition following a court order that police should not interfere with the march.

High Court Judge Clement Phiri ruled that the doctors could go ahead with Thursday’s march after lawyers for the police conceded that the actions by law enforcement agents were unlawful.

ZDHA represents junior and middle level doctors at public hospitals. The doctors have been on strike since Sept. 3, demanding a further pay increase as living costs soar.

As in the past, the government has called in army medics to help in the hospitals, which are already struggling with shortages of medicines.

“The situation in our hospitals is so saddening and we don’t draw any pleasure from it. The sooner it ends the better for us,” Tawanda Zvakada, ZHDA acting secretary general said after handing in a petition to parliament.

Meanwhile, social movement group Tajamuka has given the Government an ultimatum to release Dr. Magombeyi dead or alive.

“We are calling upon the Government to release the good doctor dead or alive. We are giving them until Monday to release him, we are no longer afraid of people in power since time immemorial the regime is known for abducting citizens,” said Promise Mkwananzi, Tajamuka leader.