Zanu-PF MP 'assaults' Mnangagwa's ally

ZANU-PF Kwekwe Central legislator Masango Matambanadzo has been accused of assaulting the party's secretary for security for Kushinga District in the Midlands city Sabikwa Marko Msipa for allegedly sabotaging the legislator and supporting the secretary for legal affairs in the politburo Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Matambanadzo last month exchanged blows with Gokwe-Kana legislator Owen Ncube at Amaveni Shopping Centre over allegations of instructing youths to perform acts of arson.

According to Msipa, Matambanadzo called him to his office on his way from work on Monday saying he wanted them to talk.

"He asked me why we Ndebeles were supporting Mnangagwa yet it was clear that he has become toothless. He accused me of sabotaging him and started assaulting me with fists. The bouncer that was in his company joined in as they continued to hit and head butt me and hit me against the wall," said Msipa.

"As I speak, I'm admitted at Kwekwe General Hospital and have stitches on my right eye as well as head injuries. I have since reported the matter to the party but at district level."

Msipa, who claimed that he was once Matambanadzo's election agent, said he loaned the legislator $250 in 2011 and still hasn't been paid.

"Maybe the other thing is that I loaned him money which he is still failing to pay. After he was voted into office, I approached him and asked for my money but he accused me of demanding the debt in front of people," said Msipa.

"I went back and told him that my child had been chased from school and I needed the money but he wrote a letter to the school asking them to admit the child. He said he would give me my money but up to now he hasn't done so."

Contacted for comment, Matambanadzo denied assaulting Msipa alleging that the incident was connected to his recent scuffle with Ncube.

"Msipa was assaulted by my personal security person. On the day, my security person was telling me that Msipa and a gang of youths had been terrorising him while I was attending parliament in Harare," said Matambanadzo.

"As my security person was narrating, Msipa stormed into my offices saying he wanted to talk to me. He told my boy to sit down and shut up as he was too junior and could discipline him at any time. My boy said he only respected Msipa as an elder but was not afraid of him and his gang."

Matambanadzo said at that point, Msipa boasted that he could discipline the security person on his own.

"Msipa attacked the boy and a fight ensued. Msipa was on the receiving end as the boy is a trained boxer and very dangerous when he gets angry. Many people tried to restrain the boy but failed until I intervened," said Matambanadzo.

"Msipa said he was not satisfied and as we were moving out of my office through the shop, he started throwing punches at the boy. He was given three blows in return and fell down again. He was injured because that boy is dangerous."

Matambanadzo said when they got to the police after Msipa reported the matter, he was asked if he had not been hit with an object due to injuries sustained during the beating.

"At the police station, Msipa called his master Muda (Ncube) who came and instead of taking him to hospital, took him to the media so that they could peddle falsehoods. This whole thing was planned to soil my name. It is related to the other incident involving me and Muda," he said.

Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday declined to comment on the matter saying he was not at work.