Dozens of MDC members who tried to gather at Glamis Stadium in downtown Harare to stage a rally, which the party said had been banned by the authorities as it would disrupt another Zanu PF rally, were severely brutalised.
Authorities unleashed tear gas as several hundred supporters of the main MDC gathered in the capital for the protest.
Protesters dispersed, with some Zanu PF youths erecting barricades in the area. The MDC said one person has been abducted and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Meanwhile Zanu PF staged its second street protest against Western sanctions across the city center escorted by police. A Zanu PF spokesman said the demo and subsequent rally was the final part of the signing of the anti-sanctions petition by Zimbabweans. The signing ceremony was held in the country’s ten provinces.
But the MDC said reports filtering through from the provinces was that the party had forced people to its sanctions lobby. In Harare Metropolitan Province, the march was led by Zanu-PF national scretary for Education in the Politburo, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, emphasising at a speech delivered to the rally that the ani-sanctions campaign is not a party initiative.
The illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have had a national bearing, so the launch is not a Zanu-PF initiative as it has caused untold suffering to all Zimbabweans across the political divide, Ndlovu told the Zanu PF youths.
Zanu-PF Harare Province chairman, Ambassador Amos Midzi, accused of spearheading the party’s campaign of violence in Harare, paid tribute to the thousands of people who turned up to append their signatures, saying the demonstration of oneness at the occasion will go a long way in sending the message to those who imposed illegal sanctions on the country.
The MDC said in Mashonaland East, “Zanu PF thugs” closed down all shops and beerhalls in Rujeko, Marondera urban and ordered people to attend the signing of the petition.
In Midlands North, said the MDC spokesman, Sanyati District Chairperson, Luckmore Chida, and the other two yet to be identified where yesterday late afternoon picked up by the police and are currently being held at Kadoma Central police station. The charges remain unclear.
The MDC vowed to continue the peace rally next week.
“Zanu PF youth, who had gathered at the open space between Rainbow Towers and Interpol, assaulted innocent civilians who were passing by the venue, especially those wearing red T-shirts, on allegations that they are MDC activists,” said MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
“At least 15 people have been admitted into hospital, one was abducted by men in a taxi, and the other one was said to have been hit by a log on his head and eyewitnesses say he might not make it. The MDC fears for his life.
“One Inspector Dembedza at the Harare Central Police station allegedly told the assaulted supporters to just leave the station saying they should go back and face their assailants.”
Police said they were trying to keep order at the square.
Post published in: News