In an interview, Shoko, who had attended a joint meeting with the Parliamentary Portfolio committees of Mines and Energy, the committee on Commerce and Industry and the committee on Environment and Tourism, said that he was scared by the unprovoked attack.
“Midway through the meeting I decided to go to the toilets and, when I got there, the room was flooded with Zanu (PF) supporters who were visibly drunk. One of the guys recognized me, and then started to insult Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, accusing him of supporting homosexuals and also dining with the devil. They denounced him, but I ignored them,” said Shoko.
When the legislator went to leave the toilets, one of the youths blocked him.
“One of the youths warned me that the MDC was finished in Chitungwiza and said that my days were numbered. I ignored him and silently left the toilet after being shoved,” said Shoko.
Later, the youths, who were attending an Old Mutual meeting on empowerment, confronted Shoko again. Despite efforts from Zanu (PF) MPs to restrain them, the youths continued to harass Shoko.
“One of the parliamentary staff called a policeman who came and then went away to return with reinforcements, that is when the youths dispersed,” said Shoko.
Efforts to a get a comment from Zanu (PF) officials who were present at the meeting were fruitless.
Post published in: News