Maravi

(HERALD) MDC-T thugs kill war vet

MDC-T thugs kill war vet
Crime Reporter

A WAR veteran was killed while four Zanu-PF supporters were seriously injured by suspected MDC-T activists in Bikita before they petrol-bombed a ruling party district office in Masvingo on Saturday. Police chief spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed the murder and the bombing. He said the war veteran, Cde Mabiko Mudzingwa (57) of Dombi Village under Chief Mazungunye, was murdered by suspected MDC-T members while commissioning a grinding mill at Chigumisirwa Business Centre.

Cde Mudzingwa, the police spokesman said, was among Zanu-PF supporters who were attacked by about 36 suspected MDC-T supporters. Among the 36 suspects was opposition councillor-elect for Ward 16 in Bikita East Peter Takaringofa.

He said according to the Zanu-PF supporters, they were ordered by the MDC-T supporters to disperse and stop carrying out any development projects in the area since they had lost in the March 29 harmonised elections.

Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the MDC-T activists allegedly used axes, machetes and knobkerries to assault the Zanu-PF supporters.

Cde Mudzingwa died on the spot while four others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Silveira Mission Hospital.

They are Cde Steven Matare, Cde Judith Bvute, Cde Onias Mutykendimo and Cde Leonard Chibvenyu, who are all battling for their lives.

Asst Comm Bvudzijena said eight MDC-T activists have since been arrested in connection with the murder.

He said police have since launched a manhunt for seven other suspects in the case.

The Zanu-PF district office at Rumwanda Business Centre in Masvingo was petrol-bombed on Saturday but no one was injured.

Police have since arrested two suspects — Moses Maphosa, an MDC-T councillor-elect for Ward 13 in Rumwanda, and Phebion Mangana the opposition party’s information officer.

Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the two were picked up yesterday at Chikuku Business Centre while paying suspected MDC-T youths their allowances.

He said the youths were believed to have been involved in violence in Bikita.

"The two were found in possession of $34 billion and documents in their possession indicated they had already paid $10 billion to MDC officials in each ward," Asst Comm Bvudzijena said.

He said the two admitted recruiting six youths in every ward to disrupt Zanu-PF campaign activities as well as unleash violence.

Police are also keen to interview MDC Member of the House of Assembly-elect for Bindura South Bednock Nyaude (42) in connection with various cases of political violence allegedly committed in Mashonaland Central Province.

According to police, Nyaude is wanted for allegedly sponsoring acts of violence in Bindura North, South and Shamva.

Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the attempted murder charges arose after Nyaude allegedly fired some shots at police officers who wanted to arrest him.

He said the other charge of public violence arose at Shamva Gold Mine and Dawmill Farm in Bindura where he was part of suspected MDC-T activists who destroyed houses belonging to Zanu-PF supporters.

In a related incident, police have recovered more weapons from suspected MDC-T supporters in Nyazura.

The discovery of the weapons comes shortly after other weapons, among them machetes, axes, knives and explosives, were recovered in Buhera. The weapons are believed to have been used in perpetrating acts of violence in Manicaland Province.

In Epworth, on the outskirts of Harare, suspected MDC activists unleashed a reign of terror on Sunday afternoon, attacking Zanu-PF supporters and destroying houses, vehicles and other property worth trillions of dollars.

The property destroyed included furniture, among other household goods.

They also looted groceries, furniture and other valuables.

Asst Comm Bvudzijena said by yesterday afternoon the situation was calm and police had been deployed to quell the disturbances.

According to the Zanu-PF councillor for Ward 7 in Zvidozvevanhu District, Cde Joana Mawira, the suspected MDC-T supporters were targeting senior Zanu-PF officials and war veterans.

Cde Mawira said the suspected MDC-T militia, reportedly led by MDC-T councillor for Ward 6 under Overspill, Richard Tawa, had been allegedly going around the suburb in a white Mazda B1800 truck perpetrating the acts of violence since Sunday afternoon.

She said the group arrived at her house around midnight and attacked her for being a Zanu-PF supporter.

She said the more than 100 suspected MDC-T activists dragged her out of the house, beat her up and damaged her house and household property.

Ex-detainee Cde Thomas Kudinga was also attacked and sustained injuries on the legs.

His Peugeot 504 had all its windows shattered by the rowdy MDC-T supporters.

The suspected MDC-T supporters also damaged six houses belonging to some well-known Zanu-PF supporters.

Following the spate of attacks, Zanu-PF supporters retaliated by attacking and burning houses belonging to MDC-T supporters.

Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, WAR VETERANS

posted by MrK @ 4:54 AM