News / National
Zanu-PF official petrol-bombed
13 Mar 2013 at 06:35hrs | Views
A ZANU-PF official from Makoni West was early yesterday morning petrol-bombed by unidentified suspects in a suspected case of political violence.
William Chapepa's home was attacked at around 2am.
He is a Zanu-PF aspiring candidate for Ward 11.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said this while addressing the media at the Police General Headquarters in Harare yesterday.
"We received incidents of politically-related violence in the country but I have a case in Makoni West. Chapepa of Ward 11 was petrol bombed by unidentified suspects after retiring to bed.
"He woke up at around 2am after seeing a ball of fire and when he got outside he saw a small five litre plastic container with petrol thrown at his car. At the same time, he saw a man running away."
She said Chapepa threw away the container but the suspect hurled the petrol bomb back at him.
"He sustained burns. At the moment, he is at Rusape Hospital and investigations are still underway," she said.
Asst Comm Charamba warned people against instigating violence.
"We will announce the outcome of the investigations in due course. We warn all those bent on instigating violence to desist from doing so and we will not entertain inter or intra-party violence.
"Hopefully people would conduct themselves peacefully. Those planning to have gatherings should notify the police four days before convening a meeting."
She said people planning a meeting should apply through the officer commanding in the district.
"This enables them to have discussions on how everything will be done and an assessment is done at the venue, the number of people expected. The police have made blunders in certain incidences and proper procedures have to be taken," she said.
The 2013 elections commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Lee Muchemwa said the police are prepared to quell all incidents of violence.
"The Head of State Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces President Robert Mugabe has been on record preaching peace, love and unity which we have to maintain. Those malcontents and hooligans planning to preach the gospel of disunity must note the police will deal with them.
"Political campaigning is on and we are happy the majority of political parties are calling for a 'Yes Vote' while a few individuals are against that. This should not be an excuse for ill intentions of disrupting the smooth running of the referendum."
He did not, however, disclose the number of police details deployed to man the polling centres.
"We are working with ZEC as custodians of law and order," Snr Asst Comm Muchemwa said.
William Chapepa's home was attacked at around 2am.
He is a Zanu-PF aspiring candidate for Ward 11.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said this while addressing the media at the Police General Headquarters in Harare yesterday.
"We received incidents of politically-related violence in the country but I have a case in Makoni West. Chapepa of Ward 11 was petrol bombed by unidentified suspects after retiring to bed.
"He woke up at around 2am after seeing a ball of fire and when he got outside he saw a small five litre plastic container with petrol thrown at his car. At the same time, he saw a man running away."
She said Chapepa threw away the container but the suspect hurled the petrol bomb back at him.
"He sustained burns. At the moment, he is at Rusape Hospital and investigations are still underway," she said.
Asst Comm Charamba warned people against instigating violence.
"Hopefully people would conduct themselves peacefully. Those planning to have gatherings should notify the police four days before convening a meeting."
She said people planning a meeting should apply through the officer commanding in the district.
"This enables them to have discussions on how everything will be done and an assessment is done at the venue, the number of people expected. The police have made blunders in certain incidences and proper procedures have to be taken," she said.
The 2013 elections commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Lee Muchemwa said the police are prepared to quell all incidents of violence.
"The Head of State Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces President Robert Mugabe has been on record preaching peace, love and unity which we have to maintain. Those malcontents and hooligans planning to preach the gospel of disunity must note the police will deal with them.
"Political campaigning is on and we are happy the majority of political parties are calling for a 'Yes Vote' while a few individuals are against that. This should not be an excuse for ill intentions of disrupting the smooth running of the referendum."
He did not, however, disclose the number of police details deployed to man the polling centres.
"We are working with ZEC as custodians of law and order," Snr Asst Comm Muchemwa said.
Source - TH
