Woman lose all her front teeth in Zanu-PF factional fights

Dozens of Zanu-PF supporters, mostly women, are nursing injuries following violent clashes between supporters of rival factions.

The party has been plunged into administrative chaos in Masvingo as supporters of the faction led by vice president Joyce Mujuru backing "ousted" chairman retired brigadier general Callisto Gwanetsa clashed with those loyal to the Mnangagwa faction, backing vice chairman Paradza Chakono.

A woman believed to be loyal to Gwanetsa and only identified as Mejury lost all her front teeth after she was attacked. Her 10-year-old son Tanatswa told The Zimbabwean that his mother was bed ridden and failing to even cook for them.

"My mother is a Zanu-PF supporter but we were shocked to hear that she was attacked by members of her party," said Tanatswa. "I have stopped going to school to cook for the little ones because my mother is badly injured."

The situation degenerated into a fist fight after supporters of rival factions clashed at the chiefs hall in Mucheke. "We had convened a meeting to correct media reports that the our chairman Gwanetsa had been fired," said an eye witness.

Because of recent violence in Masvingo all Zanu-PF meetings are now held under heavy police presence. Chakona and Gwanetsa are now embroiled in a leadership wrangle with both of them now claiming to be the legitimate leader of the party in Masvingo.

Party spokesman Rugare Gumbo said Gwanetsa was still the chairman of the party. "The vote of no confidence was done by people who had no power – so we still recognize Gwanetsa as the chairman," he said.