two party officials arrested by the police at a political rally in Zvimba, President Robert Mugabe’s home area.
According to an MDC-T statement, the political violence broke out on Sunday morning at Murombedzi business centre, some 15km from Mugabe’s rural homestead as party supporters waited for Tendai Biti, the Secretary General, to address them Zanu (PF) supporters are being blamed for the violence.
The MDC-T Mashonaland West Provincial Vice Youth Chairperson, Maltin Mukusha, who was also attacked, said the Zanu (PF) activists provoked them.
"When we got there in the morning, we found the Zanu PF youths already playing soccer in the council ground. We informed the police about this and they said we could still go ahead with our rally as scheduled, but they (Zanu PF) brought netball courts and made a makeshift ground close to where we were.
‘But we remained calm and continued to sing our songs. Out of nowhere, the rowdy youth began to throw sand in the air and stones began to rain on us. Our provincial vehicle was damaged and the district chairperson's vehicle was not spared," said Mukusha.
Tawanda Bvumo, the Provincial Treasurer, said the rally was cancelled following police failure to intervene to quell the disturbances as Zanu (PF) supporters invaded the rally venue.
"We had initially booked the council grounds but the council refused us access, then we opted for the open space at the growth point.
Apparently, Zanu (PF) youth today claimed to have booked the ground for a sports tournament. The police then advised us to cancel our own meeting after Zanu (PF) thugs attacked us," said Bvumo, according to the statement.
Wilson Makanyaire, the Provincial Organising Secretay and another MDC-T member identified as Sekuru Kwenda were arrested and taken to the nearby Murombedzi Police Station.
‘‘Reports from Zvimba say they are surrounded by Central Intelligence Officers who are questioning them (over) why they are holding a rally in Zvimba,’’ said MDC-T.
Last week, two other MDC rallies were cancelled after a Zanu PF attack, read the statement, adding that Biti and other party members were attacked after soldiers from a nearby barrack claimed they had a soccer match at Darwendale ground.
‘‘In Mashonaland East, another rally in Mutoko East took place amid intimidation by some misguided soldiers who went around the village discouraging the people from attending. However, this did not work as hundreds of villagers turned up for the MDC rally,’’ said the statement.
Post published in: News
Those are kicks of a dying horse M D C T supportes must not be intimidated by such an evil plan from kazanu.They want to scare people especially those in rural areas.One with vision can see there are now in a panic situation because already there are smelling defeat come next year.I am so sorry for people who were injured may God bless you with a quick recovery just remember time will come and in GOd we trust.The world is watching and justice will prevail one day.Mwari pindirayi.last but not least cadres must be strong and follow correct procedures God will be with you.
These disturbances by ZANU-PF thugs are clear signs that ZANU-PF is not yet prepared for Free and Fair elections. Worse still, police are not doing anything to arrest these thugs. They are highly partisan and biased. These violent and unruly disruptions are an unacceptable behaviour which must be stopped immediately before it gets worse as we move towards elections. Given a free platform, I cannot see the people of Zvimba voting for ZANU-PF.