SW Radio Africa correspondent, Lionel Saungweme, said a delegation of MDC-T officials from Mashonaland West were ambushed by ZANU PF thugs at Shangani Business Centre in Gweru, Matabeleland North, around 4:30 in the morning on Saturday. They were headed to White City Stadium for the party’s anniversary rally.
“They were surprised when lots of stones started raining onto the bus from all directions and hitting them. At least three were injured seriously and taken to hospital. MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai and his wife Elizabeth are reported to have visited them,” Saungweme said.
The hospitalized MDC-T members include one identified as Darlington Serewu, who was “severely injured” according to the MDC-T. Another injured party member, Trust Shayanewako, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Other MDC-T members were treated and released.
According to Saungweme, the MP for Insiza North, Andrew Langa, has been implicated in the attack on MDC-T members at Shangani. “Langa is very notorious in Insiza where he works with a group of ex-ZANLA war vets known to be violent. It has been alleged he coordinated the attack,” Saungweme explained.
MP Langa gained a reputation when he shot an MDC member inside a police station in Insiza, during the 2008 election campaign. Saungweme said he has close ties to ZANU PF heavyweight, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and operates with impunity.
In a separate incident, an MDC-T member was victimized by police on the same morning of the Shangani attacks, when he took pictures of a police manned roadblock. Saunhgweme said the MDC-T member, named Silas Mutero was arrested at Fairbridge, in Mguza district outside Bulawayo and his pictures were confiscated.
“They also took his phone and when they looked through it they found some images that they alleged to be illegal. It is not clear what Mutero is being charged with, but he is still in detention in Bulawayo,” Saungweme said.
Meanhwile, addressing the press in Gweru, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said the country cannot hold any election without finding lasting solutions to the problem of political violence. He said the incidents are a sign of what to expect ahead of elections due next year.
The MDC-T celebrated their 13th anniversary at a rally in Bulawayo on Saturday, where party President Morgan Tsvangirai, introduced his new wife Elizabeth Macheka. In his address, Tsvangirai assured supporters that they would not participate in any elections if key reforms are not implemented first. SW Radio Africa
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