It is the second time this year that intra-party factionalism between two rival camps in the MDC-T’s Midlands South province has degenerated into violence.
In this latest incident, violence erupted in Zvishavane town during an audit of the party’s ward. Party supporters aligned to former Town Chairperson Alois Zhou became violent when it was apparent that the majority of people had chosen to have a new Chairperson for the ward who is sympathetic to the Provincial Chairwoman, Lilian Timvious.
Zhou and Timvious reportedly lead two rival camps in the town known as Jatropha and Vekumasowe, respectively.
“Youths known to be supporters of Zhou started assaulting officials who were with the Timvious family with stones. They also shouted obscenities at Timvious herself saying they would not allow her husband, Mike, to represent the party as the MDC-T candidate for the urban parliamentary seat,” said an eye witness.
Others said the violence only subsided when armed riot police officers arrived and dispersed the gathering.
Post published in: News