Political violence erupts in Harare, 6 arrested

Suspected MDC-T supporters allegedly stoned police officers near the party's Harvest House headquarters in Harare yesterday.

Six people, among them two vendors and an MDC-T security official, were arrested.

Violence broke out after a Chiedza Chevatendi member Tapiwa Chibaya saw pirated CDs of their music being sold by vendors near Harvest House.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said Chibaya confronted the vendors who assaulted him.

"Chibaya went to the police post along First Street where he made a report. Three policemen went to the scene to arrest the suspects," he said.

They arrested the four, but one of them sneaked into Harvest House, where a few minutes later MDC-T youths emerged and manhandled the policemen.

The youths tried to rescue their colleagues, tearing a policeman's uniform during the scuffle.
Insp Sabau said the vendors and the youths then fled into Harvest House whereupon the policemen called for reinforcements.

A police reaction group moved in swiftly and arrested the vendors, but when they were in the police vehicle, they escaped and ran into Harvest House.

The MDC-T youths returned armed with stones and attacked the policemen.
Two police vehicles had their windscreens shattered.

"Police were left with no option, but to fire tear canisters into the building. The police were not aware that there was an exit door at the back of the building, which the suspects used to flee," Insp Sabau said.

When the doors were opened, police could not locate the suspects, but managed to arrest two of the vendors and a security officer.

Insp Sabau said police discovered half bricks and stones in some offices at Harvest House, which they believe could have been used by the youths.

Police took the stones and the bricks, as part of investigations.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora last night dismissed as false claims that MDC-T youths were behind the violence.

"There are no stones in the Harvest House. It's a lie that our youths were throwing stones at them. It's only that the police wanted to attack the Harvest House and thanks to security at our windows, the canisters did not get in.

"The police are aware that there are criminals in Harare, there is Chipangano in Mbare, they are just trying to harass us," he said.
Business ground to a halt as shops along Nelson Mandela Avenue were closed.

People, including schoolchildren, were affected by tear smoke that was billowing in Sam Nujoma Street, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela avenues and Julius Nyerere Way.
Some people milled around Harvest House to witness the skirmishes, while some motorists abandoned their vehicles on the road owing to tear gas.

Chiedza Chevatendi member Chibaya said he suffered internal injuries as a result of the assault.
"When I challenged the group which was close to 10 men, they said I had no right to ask them. They mobbed and started kicking and punching me.

"I managed to escape and reported the matter to the police at First Street post. Three policemen escorted me to Harvest House to arrest the vendors.

"When we approached the youths, they became violent and assaulted me and the policemen. They took away the policemen's handcuffs and tore their uniforms, prompting us all to run for dear life," he said.

Chibaya said police had given him a police report so he could get treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Insp Sabau said police would not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law and would use minimum force whenever the need arises.

On Sunday, another police vehicle had its windscreen shattered by MDC-T youths following disturbances in Hatcliffe, Harare.

On Monday, police warned youths to desist from any form of political violence and said they were aware of certain political parties linked to some organisations that were sponsoring their youths to engage in political violence.

Police said they would remain vigilant and alert to deal with such criminal elements.