MDC officials mother viciously attacked with iron bar

Mrs Mlilo is now receiving treatment at a private hospital in Harare. Her injuries were so serious she received 25 stitches to her head. The attack has been described as attempted murder and the attacker has been identified by the local community, but the police are too scared to arrest him because of his political connections.

Mlilo believes that the attack on his mum was politically motivated and has pointed a finger at Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwas thugs in the area. Mnangagwa is the ZANU PF MP for Mvuma-Zivangwe.

Mlilo is a top aide to Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma. Mlilo was the MDCs regional coordinator for years, based in South Africa until February, when he relocated to Harare at the advent of the inclusive government.

I thank god that my mum is still alive. She was first hit from behind and when she turned around the attacker continued hitting her head until she fell down. Whilst down, the attacker still went for her head in an assault described by eyewitnesses as an unprovoked and mindless thuggery, Mlilo said.

Only her screams which attracted people nearby saved her life as they rushed to her aid. The attacker fled the scene but people were able to describe to the police his build and the clothes he was wearing.

Mvuma is a very small community and one cannot commit such a cowardly attack and go unnoticed. The police know who it is but they are too scared to make an arrest, Mlilo said.

There is no doubt in anyones mind that certain very powerful people were behind the attack, so powerful that the police are turning a blind eye to such a crime, Mlilo added.

Recently, Mlilo sponsored two successful soccer tournaments for primary and secondary schools in Mvuma and believes this could have led him on a collision course with Mnangagwa, a man who is well known for dealing ruthlessly with his political opponents.

Reports say Mnangagwa responded by organizing two similar tournaments, which were however poorly attended. This triggered a conspiracy theory in the Mnangagwa camp that Biti, Mangoma and Roy Bennett, the MDC treasurer-general, were allegedly plotting to topple him from the constituency in the next general elections.

Ive had so many phone calls from people in the constituency alerting me to dangers I was exposing myself to by trying to uplift the community I grew up in. I ended up going to the University of Cape Town because of the education I received in Mvuma, so I owe it to the people there to offer my services whenever I can, he said.

Mlilo said he has been very clear that he has no political intentions of being an MP in the area but also made it clear he would not succumb to political chicanery.

If that was a message to say stay clear of Mvuma or they wanted to dismantle my spirit of uplifting the community, then I dont know if that will work by targeting other people who are not me, Mlilo said.