Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) PM blames Kasukuwere for weekend clashes

PM blames Kasukuwere for weekend clashes
07/11/2011 00:00:00
by AFP I Staff Reporter

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday accused Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere of orchestrating an attack on his rally in Chitungwiza over the weekend. Tsvangirai told a news conference at his home that Kasukuwere had brought in Zanu PF militants who disrupted the rally leading to clashes that left scores of people injured and property destroyed.

The MDC-T leader voiced his anger at a meeting with President Robert Mugabe on Monday.

“I told the President that Kasukuwere and a special councillor in Chitungwiza were responsible for bringing youths in Chitungwiza a night before the meeting,” Tsvangirai said.

“It has been proven that Zanu PF was responsible and the President cannot dispute what he has been told."

He said that both parties would gather their top leadership for a joint meeting on Friday to address the violence, after a week that saw his rally attacked and his party's office tear-gassed by police.

“We have agreed that on Friday we are going to convene a meeting of all executive committees to address the issue of violence,” he said.

“Violence is not being spearheaded from the bottom; it's being spearheaded from the top by senior political practitioners.”

“We want all of us to make a commitment that violence will not be tolerated,” said the MDC-T leader.

Tsvangirai warned that the recent upsurge in political violence could undermine preparations for elections expected early next year.

“We agreed that once a report of the constitution-making process has been given, we must actually have a date of elections,” Tsvangirai said.

“There is no consensus yet on the date,” he said.

“If we allow the current situation to prevail, and I say if, then the election will be a sham,” Tsvangirai said.

“At the moment, in the face of what happened this last week, if such a situation were to prevail I cannot see that as a free and fair election.”

Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, SAVIOUR KASUKUWERE

posted by MrK @ 5:12 PM