The incident brings to four the number of cases recorded in the Midlands South province in the past five weeks. Last month, Kennias Sithole, an Councillor in Gweru was assaulted by party youths.
In Zvishavane, violence recently erupted during an audit, where supporters of former Town Chairperson Alois Zhou beat up sympathisers of Provincial Chairwoman Lilian Timvious.
Supporters backing youth leader Livingstone Chiminya to contest the Chiundura parliamentary seat clashed with a group of party officials who prefer former Gweru Urban MP Timothy Mkhahlera.
In this latest incident, sources said three party youths – Mark Moyo, Joseph Mabhena and Mike Mupunze – confronted Mpofu in Hwata Village.
“They asked why he was not attending party meetings organised by aspiring candidates. Mpofu said he could only respond to the question in the presence of party District Chairperson Justin Sibanda,” said the source.
“That response did not go down well with the youths who started beating him up before confiscating a bicycle he had been given by the party to help in carrying out his duties,” added another source. Jameson Tsuro, the Midlands South MDC-T spokesperson confirmed the incident and urged peace.
“There is no reason why party supporters should use violence in pushing for their preferred candidates to win during the primary elections. We are a party of excellence and so we should desist from violence,” said Tsuro.
The Midlands South province is known for two rival camps – Vekumasowe and Jatropha. Sources say the violence cases are manifestations of these factions which both fielded parallel candidates during the 2008 polls and split the vote resulting in the loss of some constituencies and wards to Zanu (PF).
Post published in: News