ZANU PF and MDC-T officials yesterday traded counter-accusations over which party sparked the violent inter-party clashes that rocked Harare’s Epworth area on Sunday.
STAFF REPORTER
Both parties claimed they were victims of the politically-motivated violence.
Amos Midzi, Zanu PF Harare provincial chairperson said
MDC-T supporters caused the clashes after they indiscriminately beat up suspected Zanu PF supporters they met in the area following a rally addressed by party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
“They attacked and injured 15 of our members without any provocation and as we speak some of them have been admitted to Harare Hospital,” Midzi said.
“Tsvangirai should focus on putting out the fire that has engulfed his house and avoid stoking unnecessary fights with outsiders.
“We believe the violence was deliberately started so that he could justify his claims that Zanu PF is a violent party.”
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But, the MDC-T insisted that Zanu PF was behind the violent clashes, adding that 14 of its members were left injured, two of them seriously.
Tsvangirai yesterday visited two injured MDC-T members — Tambudzai Kalandi and Florence Motsi — at the Avenues Clinic.
Kalandi allegedly suffered multiple body injuries including a broken leg, while Motsi sustained severe head injuries.
Speaking to journalists, after visiting the two MDC-T activists, Tsvangirai said Zanu PF was responsible for the violence.
“What is important to emphasise is that when Zanu PF sees people on the roll, it turns to its default mode which is violence, fear and intimidation,” he said.
“We need to recognise that the MDC-T is a popular movement while Zanu PF has a challenge of converting their harvest of fear, violence and intimidation into popularity.”
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said an MDC-T supporter identified as Munyaradzi Chibanda provoked the clashes.
Nyathi said Chibanda, who was attending a rally addressed by Tsvangirai, jumped over a precast wall at the Epworth Local Board offices and went to Bela-peri Farm while dressed in his party regalia. Nyathi said Chibanda later went back to the rally and claimed that he had been assaulted by unknown people.
He said MDC-T youths then ganged up and went to the farm and started to assault Zanu PF supporters, among them women and children who were at their homes.
