This was the most serious
incident in a weekend that saw several incumbent ZANU-PF officials lose at
the primaries to newcomers. Mumbengegwi is said to be recovering at a
hospital in Harare.
Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa spoke to sources who were in the area at
the time. They said Mumbengegwi had come to Chivi to contest a parliamentary
seat in the ruling party primaries. He is currently a non-constituency MP
appointed by Mugabe. As he approached the venue he was met by angry
villagers who complained that ministers only come around just before
elections.
Muchemwa said the villagers formed a human blockade to prevent Mumbengegwi’s
motorcade from reaching the location of the primaries. The minister and his
staff tried to force their way through and violence broke out. Mumbengegwi
was beaten and taken to Masvingo General Hospital. He was later moved to a
hospital in Harare where he is said to be recovering.
Muchemwa said there were many so-called “shockers” at ZANU-PF primaries in
Masvingo province, where newcomers won over the old chefs. The state
controlled media covered these primaries extensively and confirmed that many
new candidates had won. Observers believe there is a shift within the ruling
party and final results from all the ZANU-PF primaries were expected to be
announced by Tuesday evening.
Post published in: News