MDC-T's Mangoma makes formal police report

MDC-T deputy treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma, who was assaulted in Harare at the weekend by youths reportedly aligned to party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday reported the case to the police.

The youths attacked Mr Mangoma and youth leader Mr Promise Mkwananzi outside the MDC-T headquarters on Saturday.

Secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti reportedly escaped the intoxicated mob by throwing himself into Mr Tsvangirai's car, while another youth leader, Mr Solomon Madzore, had to beat a hasty retreat into the party headquarters.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed that a formal complaint had been lodged.

Police had indicated they could not act on the basis of newspaper reports.

"(Mr Mangoma) has made the report today at Avondale Police Station and investigations are now in progress," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

Police sources yesterday said Mr Mangoma made the report in the afternoon and the docket would likely be transferred to the CID Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station.

Mr Mangoma was not available for comment.

On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai claimed there was a "coup" plot against him and that some people wanted to "remove him violently" from his post, just a day after his loyalists assaulted senior party officials who have called for leadership renewal .

Mr Tsvangirai made the remarks to a crowd that showed up for a rally in Glen Norah, Harare, that was supposed to have been a major show of public support for the embattled MDC-T leader.

His statement was in apparent reference to party secretary-general Mr Biti and Mr Mangoma, who did not attend the rally. Other senior officials and the youth executive also snubbed the rally.

Mr Mangoma, as have several other MDC-T officials, called on Mr Tsvangirai to step down after leading the party to electoral losses against Zanu-PF and President Mugabe in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2013.

Mr Tsvangirai claimed Saturday's violence was orchestrated by State-sponsored elements.

In the past, other senior officials have been attacked by party supporters with Mr Tsvangirai pointedly not condoning any disciplinary action in all the cases.

Those attacked include former secretary-general Professor Welshman Ncube, former legislator Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga, ex-security chief Mr Peter Guhu, national director for policy and research Mr Fortune Gwaze, diplomat and former legislator Ambassador Trudy Stevenson, and director-general Mr Toendepi Shonhe.