MDC-T youths goes into hiding over hijacking incident

MDC-T youths from Bulawayo province who reportedly hijacked a party vehicle that was being used by ousted Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Sengezo Tshabangu on Sunday have gone into hiding as the police are keen to interview them concerning the matter.

The four youths are said to have pounced on the occupants of the vehicle, an Isuzu KB 240, close to Grey Prison in Bulawayo, where they seriously assaulted them resulting in the driver sustaining injuries and losing a cellphone and money in the process as the battle for control of the party intensifies.

Tshabangu yesterday said the police were now investigating the matter.

"The matter is now with the police. We understand the youths have gone into hiding and they have switched off their mobile phones," said Tshabangu.

MDC-T Bulawayo acting provincial spokesperson Swithern Chiworodza yesterday declined to comment on the matter.

However, party insiders confirmed that the youths were indeed on the run from the police.

"We understand that the police have visited the homes of some of the youths involved in the Sunday violence. They have gone into hiding," the source said.

"The provincial youth secretary Kunashe Muchemwa was not involved in the scuffle as claimed by Tshabangu. He has, however, fled also after the police visited his home."

Repeated efforts to get a comment from Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo were fruitless as he said he was not in the office.

Meanwhile, the wrangle over the vehicle is expected to spill into the courts today as Tshabangu will file papers at the High Court for the MDC-T youths to return the vehicle.

"We will be taking the matter to the High Court. Our lawyers are expected to file papers by tomorrow morning," Tshabangu said.

Tshabangu belongs to the MDC-T renewal team while the youths are pro-party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.