News / National
3 MDC-T activists arrested in connections with Zanu-PF clashes
06 May 2014 at 06:55hrs | Views
POLICE yesterday said they had arrested three MDC-T activists in connection with the inter-party violence that rocked Epworth on the outskirts of Harare on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi identified the suspects as Moses Chindanga (26), Kholwani Makina (29) and Alex Makina (33).
The arrests came as Zanu-PF and MDC-T officials yesterday traded accusations over which party sparked the clashes.
Both parties claimed they were victims of the politically-motivated violence.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Amos Midzi 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 MDC-T 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 [Central] Hospital," Midzi, who is also the local MP, 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."
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 suffered multiple body injuries including a broken leg, while Motsi sustained severe head injuries.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the MDC 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 is a popular movement while Zanu-PF has a challenge of converting their harvest of fear, violence and intimidation into popularity."
Police claimed an MDC-T supporter identified as Munyaradzi Chibanda provoked the clashes after he allegedly went to Bela-Peri Farm while dressed in his party regalia.
Chibanda reportedly later went back to the rally and claimed that he had been assaulted by unknown people, allegedly prompting party colleagues to go on a rampage attacking Zanu-PF supporters, among them women and children who were at their homes.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi identified the suspects as Moses Chindanga (26), Kholwani Makina (29) and Alex Makina (33).
The arrests came as Zanu-PF and MDC-T officials yesterday traded accusations over which party sparked the clashes.
Both parties claimed they were victims of the politically-motivated violence.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Amos Midzi 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 MDC-T 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 [Central] Hospital," Midzi, who is also the local MP, 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."
Tsvangirai yesterday visited two injured MDC-T members - Tambudzai Kalandi and Florence Motsi - at the Avenues Clinic.
Kalandi suffered multiple body injuries including a broken leg, while Motsi sustained severe head injuries.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the MDC 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 is a popular movement while Zanu-PF has a challenge of converting their harvest of fear, violence and intimidation into popularity."
Police claimed an MDC-T supporter identified as Munyaradzi Chibanda provoked the clashes after he allegedly went to Bela-Peri Farm while dressed in his party regalia.
Chibanda reportedly later went back to the rally and claimed that he had been assaulted by unknown people, allegedly prompting party colleagues to go on a rampage attacking Zanu-PF supporters, among them women and children who were at their homes.
Source - newsday
