Manicaland province was rocked by a fresh wave of violence on Saturday as
armed soldiers and militias indiscriminately shot and beat up people at
Murambinda growth point, leaving one person dead and 31 hospitalised.
Acting with impunity, the soldiers and the militias, led by Zimbabwe
National Army Colonel Morgan Mzilikazi, had total disregard for human life.
All those seriously injured were taken to Murambinda hospital.
MDC MP elect for Makoni South, Pishai Muchauraya, said initial reports
suggest the soldiers wanted to flush out MDC supporters among the many
hundreds of people who were at the growth point. It’s reported there was
reluctance and resistance from individuals about taking orders from the
military.
‘We are told many people resisted taking orders from the soldiers and
apparently this set off an ugly scene where they started firing
indiscriminately towards a group that was being vocal. One person was shot
and died on the spot while several others received bullet wounds,’
Muchauraya said.
The deceased has been identified as 25 year-old Taurai Matanda who hails
from Gutu. The MDC has also been able to identify the killer. Muchauraya
named the soldier who fired the fatal shot as Private Svosve Mupindu.
‘We have all the names of the leaders and those committing crimes against
humanity. What happened in Murambinda was total mayhem. Many more people
were brutally attacked as one violent act led to another,’ Muchauraya said.
The MP said this was a systematic approach adopted by Zanu-PF aimed at
destroying MDC structures in rural areas. He believed worse turmoil and
bloodshed might follow as Mugabe prepares to hold on to power at all costs
against Morgan Tsvangirai in the second round of the presidential poll
slated for the 27th June.
‘Zanu-PF cannot fool us to say soldiers are not involved in the violence. We
have them in the rural areas, dressed in complete army regalia and heavily
armed. We have all the evidence, the names, places and the nature of their
operations,’ Muchauraya added.
SWRadio Africa
Post published in: News